Disclosure - A life course perspective on barriers and facilitators for disclosure in violence-exposed individuals in Norway

Violence is a key public health problem given its long-lasting negative individual consequences and significant societal costs. Many cases go undetected because victims are unable or unwilling to tell. To prevent violence, both informal and formal networks need to know of its occurrence to provide support. Understanding the extent of disclosure among victims, the barriers that hinder disclosure and facilitators that enable disclosure, and identifying particular vulnerable groups, is crucial for the prevention of violence and the advancement of interventions for victims. Disclosure seeks to address these issues across the lifespan in two large representative population samples. Further, Disclosure will gain systematic knowledge on victims’ help seeking behavior and associated characteristics by examining data on individuals of all ages seeking help through national helpline services. Finally, a crucial component in preventing violence is implementing evidence-based research in the service sectors and facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration. Disclosure seeks to bridge the gap between research and the service sectors by applying a translational approach including key players from the trauma and violence research field (NKVTS), the low threshold helpline services (The National Helpline Services for victims of violence and abuse) and specialized services (Oslo Police District). Further, end users are included through a reference group comprising representatives from Women's shelters, Barnahus, the police and emergency medicine. They will be will be involved in all stages of the study, providing feedback and advice. In doing so, this unique study will provide new comprehensive knowledge of victims’ barriers, facilitators and characteristics of disclosure from multiple - and interdisciplinary perspectives. The knowledge gained will help prevent violence by improving services and reaching more victims through low-threshold and specialized preventive services. Web: https://www.nkvts.no/english/project/disclosure-a-lifecourse-perspective-on-barriers-and-facilitators-to-disclose/

Violence is a key public health problem given its long-lasting negative individual consequences and significant societal costs. Many cases go undetected because victims are unable or unwilling to tell. To prevent violence, both informal and formal networks need to know of its occurrence to provide support. Understanding the extent of disclosure among victims, the barriers that hinder disclosure and facilitators that enable disclosure, and identifying particular vulnerable groups, is crucial for the prevention of violence and the advancement of interventions for victims. Disclosure seeks to address these issues across the lifespan in two large representative population samples. Further, Disclosure will gain systematic knowledge of victims’ help seeking and associated characteristics by examining data on individuals of all ages seeking help through national helpline services. Finally, a crucial component in preventing violence is implementing evidence-based research in the service sectors and facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration. Disclosure seeks to bridge the gap between research and the service sectors by applying a translational approach including key players from the trauma and violence research field (NKVTS), the low-threshold helpline services (The National Helpline Services for victims of violence and abuse) and specialized services (Oslo Police District). Further, end users are included through a reference group comprising key target groups (e.g., Women’s shelters, Barnahus and social services, user participation groups) that will be involved in all stages of the study, providing feedback and advice from the field. In doing so, this unique study will provide new comprehensive knowledge of victims’ barriers, facilitators and characteristics of disclosure from multiple - and interdisciplinary perspectives. The knowledge gained will help prevent violence by improving services and reaching more victims through low-threshold and specialized preventive services.