Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Prevalence of family violence amongst women attending an abortion clinic in New Zealand
Other Titles:	Australian and New Zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Authors:	Fanslow, Janet Whitehead, Anna
Keywords:	Screening;Statistics;Pregnancy
Year:	2005
Publisher:	Blackwell Publishing
Citation:	45, 2005
Notes:	This paper (New Zealand) referred to the lack of information relating to family violence amongst women who undergo a termination of pregnancy. International studies have shown that partner abuse is common during pregnancy. Statistics are provided from three studies in Canada and the USA on the prevalence of physical abuse of women attending abortion clinics. A study undertaken in the USA found that women with an unintended pregnancy had 2.5 times the risk of experiencing physical abuse than women whose pregnancy was intended. At the time the paper was written there was no New Zealand data on the prevalence of partner abuse amongst women presenting for a termination of pregnancy. A study was undertaken in New Zealand to measure the prevalence of family violence reported by women seeking a termination of pregnancy at one Heath Waikoto abortion clinic. A cross-sectional survey was carried out over a 4 month period. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results from the study indicated that within this population of women, family violence is very common with 50% of women reporting physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Intimate partners were the main perpetrators of physical violence with almost 70% of women reporting their partner/the person they became pregnant to, as the perpetrator. Rates of family violence identified in this study were similar to rates of domestic violence reported from prevalence studies in abortion clinics in the USA and Canada. It recommended that consideration should be given for screening for family violence in abortion clinics in New Zealand and that appropriate information and support should be provided.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/16297
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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