Physiotherapists, like other health professionals, interact with patients on a daily basis, examining the human body as part of their profession. The body provides evidence of abuse either through body language, for example the patient’s behaviour, or through signs on the body. However, these signs often go unnoticed by health professionals. Their role in recognising signs of abuse is vital in order to make the necessary referrals to protect victims of domestic violence.
In Cyprus, according to an online research of the project “Online Professional Education for Physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals on domestic violence – OPEP-DV”:
52.9% of the physiotherapists reported that they suspected of at least one of their patients experiencing domestic abuse.
Only 17.6% made referrals of victims of abuse to specialist services.
In all countries that took part to the survey, the level of confidence of professionals in recognising emotional signs of abuse was very low (i.e. Estonia, Cyprus, Greece, Spain).
Within the framework of “OPEP-DV” project, a training workshop for health professionals, specifically targeting physiotherapists, on domestic violence was held on 20 January 2024, at the University of Nicosia, co-organised by the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) in collaboration with the Advisory Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in the Family.
OPEP-DV aims to provide professional education and training for physiotherapists, with an emphasis on those working with female patients, so that they can recognise signs of violence against women and offer appropriate guidance to the victims.
The project’s ultimate aim is to produce a series of trainings and an accredited online course on domestic violence, for physiotherapists and other health professionals.
The first part of the workshop focused on a comprehensive presentation of the guide for physiotherapists developed by the consortium, on how to identify and support victims of abuse, current challenges in the health care system, as well as the need for multidisciplinary cooperation for a better response to the needs of the victims. During the second part, physiotherapists were informed about the legal framework in Cyprus and the interdepartmental procedures that are currently in place by the relevant services.
Overall 20 professionals participated in the workshop, a first step in enhancing the chain of support for victims of violence. In autumn 2024, we will launch an online training program, open to all physiotherapists and other health professionals for free. Stay tuned!
Partner organisations
- Coordinating Body: University of Tartu – Estonia
Partners
- Women’s Support and Information Centre (WSIC) – Estonia
- Union of Women Association of Heraklion (UWAH) – Greece
- Mediterranean Institute for Gender Studies (MIGS) – Cyprus
- M&M Profuture Training, S.L – Spain
- Tartu Health Care College – Estonia
The OPEP-DV partnership aims to bridge the gap between health worker training and the needs of victims of domestic violence.
Written by
Dr. Christina Kaili, Senior Researcher & Project Manager at Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies1
