Violence against women as a health issue: implications for action

In this article we treat violence against women as a health issue. Starting with an account of just how it is that health professionals, and women who are the victims of violence, cope with their situation, we explore the interactive nature of the decisions and actions available to them. We examine some of the obstacles they face in bringing violence to an end: specifically, the constraining force of ideology, and the culture of gender inequality, both of which which render violence invisible, and mask its implications for health practices. We identify technology-based denial caused by the institutional demands of the health professions. Our conclusion is that research can provide relevant data, and support interventions which will help overcome this technological denial.