Violence by an intimate partner is manifested by physical, sexual or emotional abusive acts as well as controlling behaviours.
Research clearly shows that pregnancy does not prevent the occurrence of intimate partner violence.
The majority of studies on intimate partner violence during pregnancy measure physical violence during pregnancy, although sexual and emotional abuse during pregnancy are also considered as detrimental for women’s and their children’s well-being.
The prevalence of violence during at least one pregnancy as shown by data in the WHO Multi-Country Report ranges from one per cent in Japan City to 28 per cent in Peru province, with percentages falling between four and 12 per cent in most sites.
A similar research was conducted locally by the Commission on Domestic Violence in 2011. Findings show that: three per cent (25 of the 946 ever pregnant females) have been beaten or physically assaulted by their partner while they were pregnant. Out of these 25 pregnant women: 92 per cent reported that the abuse was inflicted upon them by the father of the child; 84 per cent communicated that they were living with this person when the abuse occurred; and 80 per cent indicated that the same person had beaten them before they were pregnant.
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy has been found to be associated with adverse health outcomes for the pregnant woman and her baby due to the direct trauma of abuse to a pregnant woman’s body, as well as the physiological effects of stress from current or past abuse on foetal growth and development.
Research has found that women reporting abuse during pregnancy had higher rates of intrauterine growth retardation and preterm labour
Research has found that women reporting abuse during pregnancy had higher rates of intrauterine growth retardation and preterm labour than women not experiencing abuse, which can lead to low birth weight and other neonatal risks. Obstetric complications can include miscarriage, antepartum haemorrhage and perinatal death. Physical, sexual and psychological intimate partner violence during pregnancy are also associated with higher levels of maternal depression, anxiety and stress, as well as suicide attempts, lack of attachment to the child and lower rates of breastfeeding.
If a mother is stressed, anxious or depressed while pregnant, her child is at increased risk of having a range of problems, including emotional problems, ADHD, conduct disorder and impaired cognitive development.
Partner violence is a significant public health problem. Pregnant women represent an important cohort of patients that should be routinely screened for partner violence to ensure positive health for both mother and foetus.
For more information, visit the Commission on Domestic Violence website: www.domesticviolence.gov.mt .
Edith Sciberras graduated as a doctor in medicine and surgery from the University of Malta in 2014. She is currently specialising in psychiatry and her main areas of interest are women’s mental health and gender-based violence. She participates actively in the network meetings held by the Commission on Domestic Violence within the Ministry of European Affairs and Equality.
This article was submitted as part of public awareness campaign Serraħ il-Menti, aimed at providing the public with information on mental health. For more details, send an e-mail to publicrelations.mapt@gmail.com or visit www.mapt.org.mt.
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