Aim: to understand more about how women The main reasons for not disclosing Cohort III-2 363 () use screening programmes to disclose and were: not considering the abuse serious access information and services. enough, fear of the offender finding out and not feeling comfortable with Setting: Australia the health worker. Just over half of both Population: women screened in ten Australian the positive and negative screened health care settings — antenatal, drug and groups received written information alcohol and mental health services. about IPV and 35% of the positive Methods: Two samples of women were group accessed further services. The surveyed between March 2007 and July 2008; findings highlight the fact that much those who reported abuse during screening abuse remains hidden and that active 6 months previously (122) and those who did efforts are required to make it possible not report abuse at that time (241). for women to talk about their per cent (27/120) of women who experiences and seek help. Screening reported abuse on screening were revealing programmes, particularly those with this for the first time to any other person. Of protocols for asking and those who screened negative, 14% (34/240) referral, offer opportunities for women had experienced recent or current abuse, but to disclose abuse and receive further chose not to disclose this when screened. intervention.
() Cohort III-2 363 Aim: to understand more about how women use screening programmes to disclose and access information and services. Setting: Australia Population: women screened in ten Australian health care settings — antenatal, drug and alcohol and mental health services. Methods: Two samples of women were surveyed between March 2007 and July 2008; those who reported abuse during screening 6 months previously (122) and those who did not report abuse at that time (241). per cent (27/120) of women who reported abuse on screening were revealing this for the first time to any other person. Of those who screened negative, 14% (34/240) had experienced recent or current abuse, but chose not to disclose this when screened. The main reasons for not disclosing were: not considering the abuse serious enough, fear of the offender finding out and not feeling comfortable with the health worker. Just over half of both the positive and negative screened groups received written information about IPV and 35% of the positive group accessed further services. The findings highlight the fact that much abuse remains hidden and that active efforts are required to make it possible for women to talk about their experiences and seek help. Screening programmes, particularly those with protocols for asking and referral, offer opportunities for women to disclose abuse and receive further intervention.