Citation

Richards J, Smithson J, Moberly NJ, Smith A. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021; 18(13): e7070.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph18137070

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Domestic violence (DV) victims face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. This is particularly concerning in cases of brain injury (BI), which is difficult to diagnose and risks severe long-term consequences for DV victims. Police may be able to identify head injury (HI) and signpost victims to healthcare. This research investigated potential barriers to police supporting victim health needs by exploring police attitudes towards DV and considering how police interpret and respond to stories of HI in DV victims. Individual interviews were conducted with 12 police officers from forces in South and Central England. This included the use of a clinical vignette. Thematic analysis highlighted three global themes: 'seesaw of emotions', 'police vulnerability', and 'head injury is fearful'. Police officers' vulnerability to external blame was the predominant influence in their responses to HI.

Language: en

Keywords

police; head injury; domestic violence (DV); health consequences; psychological consequences; traumatic brain injury (TBI)