Initial contact

Abstract

This chapter has one chance to make a irst impression on the reader. Similarly, the clinician has only one chance to make a irst impression on the patient who has experienced domestic and/or sexual abuse, such that the patient has the conidence to disclose what has happened to her. She (or he) may have taken months or years before feeling able to speak about what has happened, so it is essential that she experiences a sympathetic, non-judgemental response from the clinician. Descriptions of the positive effects of an empathetic and non-judgemental responses have been given by two female doctors who themselves sought help following sexual violence and domestic abuse, respectively [1, 2]. This positive response also has the effect of validating the patient’s experience of abuse. This chapter aims to describe the magnitude of the problem of domestic and sexual violence and abuse, and cover the important aspects of the initial contact between the clinician and the patient.