How can practitioners help an abused woman lower her risk of death?

Overview: This is an article from the United States summarising the findings of the Chicago Women’s Health Risk Study. The report identifies several factors that signal the potential or threat of death or life-threatening injury amongst abused women.

Methodology: The researchers interviewed almost 500 women in Chicago. Subjects presented at a hospital or health care clinic in areas with a high rate of intimate partner violence and were screened using three short questions about intimate partner violence, current sexual abuse and fear of going home. The researchers reviewed the case files of intimate partner homicides in the Chicago area for 1995 and 1996, and interviewed those who knew the female offenders and victims. Other sources, such as court records and newspapers, were also reviewed for the study.

* Past violent incidents: in the vast majority of homicides the female victim had experienced prior violence. The risk factors for women with no previous history of violence are different and relate to the partner’s controlling behaviour, drug use or violence outside the home.
* Type and severity of violence: abused women who were killed or who killed their partners were much more likely to have sought help, than severely abused women not involved in homicide. Past attempts at strangling the woman was identified as a risk factor for severe or fatal violence.
* The woman’s response to the violence: most homicide victims or women who had experienced life threatening violence had attempted to leave the perpetrator in the past. When leaving or attempting to leave does not end the violence, this action typically escalates the violence, making it more severe and increasing the risk of homicide.
* Female perpetrators of homicide: these women experienced more and more severe violence, had fewer resources and were in more traditional relationships. They were also likely to have called the police for assistance. Women abused by female intimate partners were less likely to call the police, but more likely to seek medical care or counselling.