Training general practitioners in addressing domestic and sexual violence in primary care

Sexual and domestic violence are a major public health problem worldwide. The first representative study on sexual violence in Belgium led by Prof Dr Ines Keygnaert showed that 64% of the inhabitants in Belgium between 16 and 69 years old have already been victim of some form of sexual violence in their lifetime: this concerns 81% of women and 48% of men in this age group (Keygnaert et al, 2021). In a recent survey on relationships, stress and aggression in the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, also led by Prof Dr Ines Keygnaert, 29.8% of respondents reported having been victim of domestic violence at least once during the first and second wave of the measures during the COVID-19 pandemic (Keygnaert et al, 2021b). This is in line with previous research on women's and men's experiences of psychological, physical and sexual violence (Pieters et al, 2010).

The National Action Plan to Combat all Forms of Gender-based Violence advocates holistic care for victims of domestic and sexual violence. General practitioners play a crucial role in this both in the short and long term. Nevertheless, general practitioners have limited knowledge, experience and skills in dealing with intrafamilial and sexual violence. After completing a national mapping of the necessary support for GPs in addressing domestic and sexual violence in primary care and the validation of the practical guideline, this project wished to develop support based on these results and tailored to the needs of primary care providers. This in order to create a more accessible, transparent, diversity-sensitive, person-centred and holistic healthcare landscape.

This project will run from October 2022 and is commissioned by the Federal Public Health Service.