18.2.2  Reducing exposure to violence

You can

• Educate the community about the negative effects of violence, especially intimate partner violence, on a woman’s mental and physical health.
• Screen pregnant women for violence and the associated mental health problems as part of their antenatal care. Pregnant women are at high risk of being victims of violence.
• Make links with any organisations in your area that work to promote women’s rights or offer support to women who are victims of violence.
• Talk with community elders. As they often play an important role in sorting out marital disputes, you can find out how they handle this situation and encourage them to be tough on violence.
• Make links with local policemen and encourage them to take complaints of violence against women seriously.