Partner Violence and the Health of Australian Women

Publisher: Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, 2005

Status – CURRENT

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) has added significantly to our understanding of the effects of partner violence. Partner violence has a serious impact on women’s physical and mental health, including increased symptoms and  medical conditions, such as sexually transmitted infections (including cervical cancer) and depressive illness. Not surprisingly, women who have lived in violent relationships use health services more often than other women, and are especially more likely than others to visit their GPs. Other life experiences can help or hinder the health and wellbeing of women who have experienced partner violence. For example, women with high social support are healthier than those without.