Registered Nurses´ Association of Ontario
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Sample Policy 2: Departmental/Unit Policy: Health Effects of Woman Abuse
- Physical Health Effects
- Sexual Health Effects
- Psychological Health Effects
- Psychiatric Health Effects
- broken bones: wrist, rib, ring finger, jaw, clavicle, cheek
- brusies: bilateral or multiple contusions, arms, leg, buttocks, breasts, chest, abdomen, head, eyes, lips, cheeks, neck, back
- burns: cigarette burns, scalding, burns from stove/fireplace, acid
- cuts and stab wounds: anywhere on body
- abrasions: scrapes, friction burns, fingernail scratches or punctures, ring imprints, mouth cuts
- bites: often on breasts and other sexual areas, arms, legs, neck
- lacerations: on skin over bony areas, internal tearing
- concussions, skull fractures or “shaken adult syndrome”
- sprains
- perforated ear drums
- chipped or lost teeth
- loss of hair
- internal injuries
- chronic gastro-intestinal pain/discomfort
- irritable bowel syndrome
- chronic back, neck or other musculoskeletal pain
- chronic headache
- hypertension
- palpitations
- chronic hip or knee pain
- scarring
- detached retina
- voice box injuries
- firearm wounds
- hyperventilation
- substance abuse problems
- sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV
- miscarriages
- chronic pelvic pain, chronic vaginal or urinary tract infection
- bruising or tearing of the vagina or anus
- female genital mutilation
- frequent pregnancies (when contraindicated or unwanted)
- vaginismus
- early hysterectomy
- chronic genital or pelvic pain
- sexually addictive behaviour
- infertility
3. Psychological Health Effects
- low self-esteem
- self-abusive behaviour
- difficulty in forming and maintaining healthy relationships
- dysfunctional parenting
- acute anxiety
- frequent crying
- lack of appropriate boundaries
- arrested development (i.e., behaviours in adults that are infantile or adolescent as opposed to mature)
- sexual dysfunction/fear of sexual intimacy
- passivity
- evasiveness
- self-degradation
- uncommunicative
- unusual or pronounced fear responses
- hypervigilance
- chronic Stress
- uncontrolled or rapid anger responses
- insomnia/sleep disturbances/nightmares
- flashbacks
- phobias
- memory loss
- loss of concentration and productivity
- depression
- suicidal ideation
- dissociation
- eating disorders
- post traumatic stress syndrome
- adjustment disorder with depressed mood
- obsessive compulsive disorder
Source: Middlesex-London Health Unit, 2000. London, Ontario. Reprinted with permission
