Potential Indicators

Potential (health) indicators of domestic violence

This list is not exhaustive; it does not define a stereotype of women affected by abuse. Women may demonstrate a variety of indicators or none at all. Potential indicators are useful to alert the health care practitioner to the possible presence of domestic violence which in turn may enable the practitioner to ask direct questions about women’s experience of domestic violence, thus opening up a potential avenue of support.

Physical

• Stress related ailments – headaches, irritable bowel syndrome
• Bruises on the body, particularly on the breasts and abdomen
• Injuries to face, head or neck – common injuries include perforated eardrums, detached retinas
• STD’s, vaginal infections or other frequent gynaecological problems
• Miscarriages / history of miscarriages
• Repeated terminations of pregnancy / still births
• Frequent A & E visits
• Multiple injuries in different stages of healing
• Burns – cigarette burns, rope burns
• Hair loss – consistent with hair pulling
• Bi lateral injuries
• Frequent use of pain medication
• Unexplained “accidents” to children

Psychological/ emotional

• Depression / anxiety / panic attacks
• vague symptoms and conditions
• extreme feelings of isolation
• self harm
• use of alcohol and drugs including frequent use of minor tranquillisers
• eating disorders
• attempted suicides
• obsessive compulsive behaviour