Domestic Violence Content

In cases of domestic violence, physicians often play a key role. Whether they are directly approached as a trusted person or recognize the consequences of physical and/or psychological injuries during an examination, they bear a special responsibility to

• recognize typical signs of violence, which may manifest both in physical findings and in the behavior of the affected patients,
• support and treat victims and help them cope with traumatic experiences,
• document injuries forensically to ensure court-admissible evidence in the event of later criminal prosecution of perpetrators.

In the seminar you will learn

• how to identify suspicious cases and recognize characteristic injury patterns,
• the role communication plays in the doctor-patient-relationship,
• how to address the topic in a sensitive and professional manner,
• how to support your patients and protect them from further harm,
• which legal frameworks are relevant,
• which forensic techniques are available for documenting evidence and securing proof,
• how to connect patients with support services, e.g., through psychosocial counseling centers and emergency facilities near your practice, or by providing informational materials in the waiting room.

Another component of the training is the presentation of ARMED, a telemedicine-supported examination service for victims of violence, particularly in regions where there is no adequate care provided by forensic medicine institutes or corresponding specialist forensic physicians.

The seminar is practice-oriented. Lectures are supplemented with case studies and interactive small-group exercises. Participants work together to apply the acquired knowledge and to develop solutions and courses of action for their professional everyday work.