DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH CARE NETWORK

Abstract

Domestic violence constitutes a major public health and human rights issue, characterized by its significant magnitude and profound impact on the physical, mental, and social health of victims. In this context, the Health Care Network (HCN) plays an essential role in the early identification, reception, reporting, referral, and follow-up of individuals experiencing violence, thereby contributing to comprehensive care and the interruption of the cycle of violence. This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the role of the Health Care Network in addressing domestic violence, highlighting the work of health professionals and the main challenges encountered in providing care to victims. This is a descriptive, qualitative integrative review conducted via searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Virtual Health Library (VHL), and Scopus databases, as well as official documents from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the Pan American Health Organization. Studies published between 2015 and 2026—available in full text and in Portuguese, English, or Spanish—that addressed domestic violence and the role of the Health Care Network were included. The results demonstrated that Primary Health Care serves as the primary entry point for case identification, facilitating humanized reception, skilled listening, and timely referral of victims. It was also observed that interdisciplinary practice and coordination among different levels of care strengthen the continuity of care and enhance the effectiveness of prevention and protection measures. However, challenges persist regarding underreporting, insufficient professional training, and weaknesses in service integration. The study concludes that strengthening the Health Care Network—combined with continuous team training and intersectoral coordination—is fundamental to promoting comprehensive, humanized, and effective care for individuals experiencing domestic violence.