@article{ref1,
title="Domestic violence in a UK abortion clinic: anonymous cross-sectional prevalence survey",
journal="Journal of family planning and reproductive health care",
year="2014",
author="Motta, Silvia and Penn-Kekana, Loveday and Bewley, Susan",
volume="41",
number="2",
pages="128-133",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) experienced by women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in a UK abortion clinic. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire survey of all women aged over 16 years accessing a TOP clinic in inner London between 20 May 2012 and 2 July 2012. The main outcome measures were: distribution of questionnaires, response rate, lifetime prevalence of abuse, past-year prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, prevalence of physical abuse during current pregnancy, relationship of lifetime abuse to number of terminations, and receptivity to DV services. <br><br>RESULTS: Questionnaires were distributed to 46% (383/828) of women accessing the clinic. Response rate was 50% (190/383). Lifetime prevalence of abuse was 16%. Past-year prevalence of physical abuse was 11% and sexual abuse was 4%. Prevalence of physical abuse during the current pregnancy was 4%. Prevalence of lifetime abuse was lower in women having a first termination (12%) versus one (20%) or two or more previous terminations (24%), although this was not statistically significant (p=0.192). The majority (75%) of participants expressing an opinion on the possibility of having a support service for DV in the abortion clinic setting were positive, unrelated to their personal experience, but some concerns were raised about implementation. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In order to provide effective support for women, services require a needs assessment of their local population. Asking women presenting for abortion about DV, even anonymously, is challenging but feasible. Future work should be directed to women's unmet safety needs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-1893",
doi="10.1136/jfprhc-2013-100843",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2013-100843"
}