© Borgis - Postępy Nauk Medycznych 6/2016, s. 424-428
Piotr Hartmann1, 2, *Teresa Jackowska1, 2
The algorithm for dealing with suspected domestic violence against children – practical recommendations**
Algorytm postępowania w przypadku podejrzenia przemocy w rodzinie wobec dzieci – praktyczne wskazówki
1Department of Pediatrics, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw
Head of Department: prof. Teresa Jackowska, MD, PhD
2Department of Pediatrics, Father Jerzy Popiełuszko “Bielański” Hospital, Independent Public Health Care Institution in Warsaw
Head of Department: prof. Teresa Jackowska, MD, PhD
Streszczenie
Problem krzywdzenia dzieci i zagrożenia z tego wynikające są często niedoceniane przez pracowników ochrony zdrowia, którzy w wielu przypadkach mogą być pierwszymi, a często również jedynymi osobami, które uzyskały informacje o przemocy w rodzinie. Od wybranej metody postępowania może zależeć dalsze zdrowie i życie dziecka doświadczającego przemocy. Eksperci z zakresu przeciwdziałania przemocy w rodzinie wspólnie ze stowarzyszeniem „Niebieska Linia” opracowali algorytmy postępowania dla pracowników ochrony zdrowia, które mogą być przydatne w pracy. Proponowane algorytmy mają służyć poprawie kompetencji i skuteczności podejmowanych działań.
W większości przypadków sygnały świadczące o krzywdzeniu dziecka są pośrednie i wymagają właściwego różnicowania. W ocenie możliwości zagrożenia dziecka przemocą w rodzinie można posłużyć się opracowanymi czynnikami ryzyka. Stwierdzenie ich występowania powinno spowodować uwzględnienie w diagnostyce różnicowej możliwości występowania przemocy w rodzinie.
Algorytm postępowania w przypadku podejrzenia przemocy w rodzinie ułatwia zastosowanie skutecznej interwencji poprzez określenie kolejnych etapów postępowania, w tym o konieczności podjęcia działań prawnych, takich jak zawiadomienie Sądu Rodzinnego, prokuratury i/lub policji oraz wszczęcia procedury Niebieskiej Karty.
W pracy przedstawiono przykłady praktycznego wykorzystania algorytmu postępowania na podstawie dwóch hipotetycznych sytuacji.
Summary
The problems of child abuse and threats arising from it are often underestimated by health care staff, who in many cases are the first and only persons informed about domestic violence. The chosen mode of proceeding may affect the health and further life of the abused child. Experts in the field of domestic violence prevention, alongside with the “Niebieska Linia” [The Blue Line] association, have developed algorithms for healthcare staff that may be useful at their work. The proposed algorithms are designed to improve the competences and effectiveness of the interventions.
In most cases the signs of child abuse are indirect and require proper differentiation. To assess the risk of violence against the child in the family, health care staff may consider the risk factors developed here. If the occurrence of these factors is confirmed, such information should be reflected in the differential diagnosis, and the diagnosis should include the possible occurrence of domestic violence. The algorithm for dealing with suspected domestic violence facilitates selecting the most effective intervention by defining the next steps of the proceedings, including the need to take legal action, such as notifying the Family Court, the prosecutor’s office and/or the police, and the initiation of the “Niebieska Karta” [Blue Card] procedure. The paper presents examples of using the algorithm of procedures in practice, based on two hypothetical cases of family violence.
Introduction
The role of the health care staff in diagnosing and preventing domestic violence is very important. After the Regulation of the Council of Ministers on the procedures of the “Niebieska Karta” [Blue Card] and the “Niebieska Karta” questionnaire forms came into force on 13 September 2011 (Journal of Laws No 209 pos. 1245), the health care staff became included in the proceedings of the “Niebieska Karta” procedures. However, data on the initiation of the procedure by the representatives of the institutions listed in the Regulation indicate that the participation of the health care staff in initiating the procedures is minor. In 2012, in Warsaw, out of the 1761 “Niebieska Karta” cards processed by the “Interdisciplinary Teams”, only 36 (2.0%) were filled in by a health care staff representative. In 2013 it was 43 out of 2393 cards (1.8%), and in 2014 it was 52 out of 2466 cards (2.1%) (own data based on the records of the Office of Social Assistance and Projects, City of Warsaw). Taking into account the whole country, in 2013 the Teams received 73 119 applications, out of which health care staff filled out 619 (0.85%) forms (1).
The doctor may be the first, and often also the only person who finds out about the possible occurrence of family violence. Regardless of the circumstances, it must always be assumed that child abuse has not been revealed before.
The lack of interventions in the cases of suspected domestic violence against the child may be caused by two major reasons:
– not taking into account a potential case of child abuse in the differential diagnosis,
– the lack of knowledge on the possibilities of providing assistance and further proceedings.
To meet the need of developing the competences of health care staff regarding the identification and prevention of family violence, the Ogólnopolskie Pogotowie dla Ofiar Przemocy w Rodzinie “Niebieska Linia” [Polish Emergency Center for Victims of Family Violence “Blue Line”] launched a project “Algorithms of dealing with cases of family violence” in May 2014, aimed to develop an algorithm of actions in the cases of a suspected family violence and carry out a pilot study among health care staff and education specialists on the usefulness of this tool. On 27 May 2015 the final version of the proposed algorithms was presented.
The paper discusses the possibilities of using the “Proposed algorithm of dealing with cases of suspected domestic violence against the child” in practice.
Assessing the risk of a potential occurrence of domestic violence
The form includes risk factors of the occurrence of domestic violence against the child. They are divided into: data from the medical history, observation of the child and the physical examination. The occurrence of risk factors should signal a potential occurrence of family violence in the differential diagnosis. Observing the occurrence of risk factors does not explicitly confirm the occurrence of domestic violence, but it calls for considering such diagnosis. Moreover, persons who take care of the child, within their own competences, may suggest suspected domestic violence even without the occurrence of risk factors. The last part of the form contains symptoms that indicate an alarming state and serves to assess the direct risk concerning the occurrence of domestic violence. It may also be used to assess the necessity to provide the child safety by taking immediate action, such as notifying the police or Prosecutor’s Office, taking the child away from the family or hospitalization.
Algorithm of actions
The proposal presented here allows selecting the procedure of actions in the case of suspected family violence. The suspicion may be based on the results of the questionnaire, but it may also be a result of one’s own observations or information from the child or another person. The algorithm facilitates a successful intervention, by defining the subsequent steps to take. However, the patients’ well-being and providing them proper medical assistance should always be a priority.
The recommended procedures of actions assume that the medical staff member possesses basic knowledge on the diagnosis and procedures in the case of child abuse. However, due to the doubts reported by the users of the preliminary versions of the algorithms, an additional leaflet was created that presents the phenomenon of violence and the possibilities of providing effective assistance (2).
Information in the above materials is consistent with other publications concerning this issue that have appeared to date (3).
Examples using the algorithm of proceedings in practice, as exemplified by two hypothetical cases
Case 1
A 14-year old girl was brought to hospital by ambulance. She was found in the park nearby and had impaired consciousness. The emergency service was called by a passer-by. It was not clear if the girl had been accompanied by other persons, because she was alone when the ambulance arrived.
At the admittance to hospital she was in the state of mental confusion, had a balance disorder, and her speech was unclear. It was possible to smell alcohol from her. In the physical examination several linear scars and fresh cuts on the thighs were found, otherwise no additional dysfunctions. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of ethanol in the blood. Urine tests for drugs were performed, with a negative result. The parents, notified by the police, arrived immediately at the hospital, were very nervous and anxious about the state of the child. The girl, however, refused to talk to them and was insulting them. They left the patients’ room, but the mother stayed for the night at the hospital, anxious about the child.
In a conversation with the doctor on duty the patient said she was afraid of her parents’ reaction and mentioned a “spanking” she was sure to get at home. She had older siblings (sister, 23, and brother, 25) who did not live at home anymore, but received financial support from the parents. The patient was a good student, not causing any problems at school so far. The parents, when asked about her hobbies, were not consistent, and also not certain as to what extracurricular activities their daughter attended.
In a conversation with the girl it turned out that she did not attend any extracurricular activities at that moment, rather spending her free time playing computer games. She did not have many friends, as she did not fit into any peer group and felt disliked in the class. The psychological consultation revealed that she had been cutting her thighs for about 2 years, and that pain provided her ease in difficult situations. She did not want to answer questions on physical violence at home. The girl’s depressive mood was evident. Her parents did not notice any self-harming or changes in their daughter’s behaviour. The psychological consultation confirmed distorted family relations and a lack of communication between the parents and the child. The parents asked for advice how to behave in the future, expressing a concern that similar incidents may repeat. After 4 days of hospitalization, the girl was discharged from hospital.
Case 2
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Piśmiennictwo
1. Ministerstwo Pracy i Polityki Społecznej „Sprawozdanie z realizacji krajowego programu przeciwdziałania przemocy w rodzinie” od 1 stycznia do 31 grudnia 2013 r.
2. Materiały Ogólnopolskiego Pogotowia dla Ofiar Przemocy w Rodzinie „Niebieska Linia” IPSPTP opracowane w ramach projektu „Algorytmy działania w przypadkach przemocy w rodzinie”; https://www.niebieskalinia.pl/algorytmy/.
3. Hartmann P, Jackowska T: Postępowanie medyczno-prawne w przypadku podejrzenia występowania przemocy w rodzinie. Postępy Nauk Medycznych 2014; 27(10B): 28-32.
