Abstract :
Today, violence against women is a commonly observed public health problem that leads to significant physical and psychological problems. Accurate diagnosis of violence, appropriate care and counseling might be the first steps in preventing violence against women. The frequency of violent acts often leads to encounters between women and health professionals. Due to the fact that nurses are the first contact point to meet the patient / victim at emergency room and to provide care in an integrated approach, emergency nurses undertake crucial roles during the accurate diagnosis of violence against women; during the evaluation, counseling and referral of the abused women to appropriate support centers and more significantly while approaching violence like a public health issue and recommending relevant solutions. In order to contribute to the literature, this article focuses on the role of emergency nurses who might undertake important duties concerning violence against women, its diagnosis, and violence in Turkey and worldwide. By identifying cases threatening women’s health, taking relevant precautions, promoting multidisciplinary approaches to recognize violence against women and taking necessary initiatives, emergency department nurses would make great contributions to the prevention of women’s health and public health.
