The detection of cases of gender-based violence increases from 3% to 42% in the Northern Metropolitan Area

The increase has been made possible thanks to a training program promoted by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Group of IDIAPJGol

Training healthcare professionals in identifying gender-based violence has enabled 42% of cases to be detected during primary care consultations in the Northern Metropolitan Area of the Catalan Health Institute, compared to only 3% before the intervention. Currently, more than half of gender-based violence cases are identified in primary healthcare settings.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Group (GRASSIR) of IDIAPJGol designed a training program for healthcare staff in 2022, based on findings from various studies coordinated by the group.

Mathematical Tool
At present, the team led by Gemma Falguera is also working on developing a mathematical tool to predict cases of gender-based violence by analyzing various indicators. This tool will be applicable in primary care consultations to facilitate case detection. GRASSIR is developing this tool in collaboration with David Moriña, a researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. According to preliminary results, nearly half of the cases go unnoticed in primary care, often due to factors such as shame, fear of retaliation, victims’ economic dependence, or self-blame.

This study, being conducted in the Northern Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (including Barcelonès Nord, Maresme, and the two Valles areas), covers one and a half million inhabitants with a high sociodemographic diversity, making it easier to extrapolate to other regions with similar healthcare systems. The work is based on two sources of information: a database on the evolution of gender-based violence cases detected in primary care from 2010 to 2021, and a survey on gender-based violence conducted by the Spanish government in 2019.

Meanwhile, GRASSIR is preparing an algorithm system to help identify which clinical indicators are most associated with gender-based violence.

Detection and Prevention Among Younger Women
A recent article by the group highlights the need to improve how cases among young victims, aged 16 to 25, are addressed in primary care consultations. Many young women in this age group who experience violence do not seek help from primary care centers. For this reason, GRASSIR emphasizes the importance of implementing specific actions to facilitate access for younger women to these services. At the same time, the group stresses the need for a structural change to tackle the root of the problem through educational and cultural initiatives that "challenge the prevailing patriarchal model and promote a more egalitarian society."