Annotation:
This report recommends policy guidelines
to address sexual and intimate partner
violence against women. The World Health
Organization (WHO) and the Guideline
Development Group, comprised of
clinicians, health service providers,
policy makers and women's rights
advocates, developed these guidelines at a
WHO meeting in September 2011. These
guidelines pertain specifically to
healthcare providers, who are often the
first professional contacts for survivors
of sexual or intimate partner violence.
Their purpose is to enable health care
providers to give survivors non-
judgmental, safe, and confidential care.
The guidelines range from front-line
medical care and interventions, to after-
care, and policy considerations. Key
recommendations include creating a woman-
centered care plan, intervening within
five days of the assault, and maintaining
three months of after-care.