Journal Article

5.B. Skills building seminar: Breaking the silence - improving communication with victims of domestic violence in healthcare

Chair persons: Bettina Pfleiderer (Germany), THL (Finland), EUPHA Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion section, EU project VIPROM- victim protection in medicine, Finnish Medical Women's Association

2025

Overview

Abstract   Victims of domestic violence (DV) frequently visit healthcare services, often without disclosing the DV they are experiencing. Despite the clinical relevance and public health urgency of addressing domestic violence, communication challenges during medical consultations persist. Healthcare professionals are often uncertain about how to recognise subtle indicators of DV, initiate conversations, or respond supportively when DV is disclosed. Barriers such as fear of offending the patient, lack of time, and insufficient training further hinder effective communication and timely intervention. What is missing from many clinical settings is a trauma-informed, structured approach to communication that balances clinical sensitivity with patient safety. While awareness of domestic violence is increasing, frontline practitioners often lack the confidence and competence to engage in meaningful dialogue about such experiences. Existing guidelines tend to focus on clinical procedures, with less emphasis on interpersonal communication and relational skills critical for supporting victims. In addition, multidisciplinary collaboration with social workers, psychologists, and support services is often underdeveloped, limiting holistic care responses. This skill-building workshop aims to address these gaps by offering health and allied professionals the opportunity to develop essential communication competencies in the context of DV. Participants will engage with the evidence-based tools and materials developed by the VIPROM EU project (https://viprom-cerv.eu/), which promote early identification, safe inquiry, and supportive response mechanisms in various health settings. Using interactive methods, including scenario analysis, and group discussions, the workshop will: • Improve participants’ ability to detect signs of domestic violence and initiate safe, compassionate conversations. • Strengthen trauma-informed listening and questioning techniques. • Explore ethical and safety considerations when addressing DV in health settings. • Promote interprofessional collaboration and referral strategies. This seminar will use materials of the VIPROM training module on communication (https://training.improdova.eu/en/training-modules-for-the-health-sector/module-3-communication-in-cases-of-domestic-violence/), which includes practical algorithms, conversation guides, and reflective exercises. Participants will work through real-life vignettes, exploring responses tailored to various cultural, gender, and age contexts. Emphasis will be placed on both verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, and empowering the patient in the consultation process. This interactive workshop will equip health and allied professionals with essential communication skills to effectively address domestic violence in medical consultations. Participants will learn to identify and assess DV, build rapport with victims, facilitate safety planning, and navigate referral resources. Key messages • Skill-building workshop based on trauma-informed care and evidence-based tools like the European VIPROM training platform can significantly improve the quality and outcomes of patient interactions. • Strengthening communication capacities not only improves clinical outcomes but also reinforces healthcare as a frontline actor in the broader public health response to violence and inequality.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Ability / Aggression / Clinical medicine / Clinical outcomes / Collaboration / Communication / Communication skills / Communicative competence / Competence / Conversation / Cultural factors / Disclosure / Domestic violence / Ethics / Health care / Health disparities / Health education / Health information / Health services / Holistic approach / Inequality / Interagency collaboration / Interdisciplinary aspects / Interpersonal communication / Listening / Materials / Medical personnel / Medical referrals / Mental health services / Modules / Nonverbal communication / Offending / Parallel Programme / Patient safety / Patients / Personal communication / Professional training / Professionals / Public health / Referrals / Safety / Skills / Social workers / Support services / Sympathy / Training / Trauma / Treatment outcomes / Urgency / Verbal communication / Victims / Violence / Will / Work skills / Workshops