Enhancing Practitioner Skills: Lessons from the Dil Mil Trial on Domestic Violence Intervention

The prevalence of domestic violence (DV) against women is a global issue, with significant impacts on health and well-being. The Dil Mil trial conducted in Bengaluru, India, offers a promising approach to mitigating DV through antenatal care interventions. This blog explores the key outcomes of this trial and how practitioners can leverage these insights to enhance their skills and contribute to DV prevention efforts.

The Context and Rationale of the Dil Mil Trial

The Dil Mil trial was designed to address the high prevalence of DV among young Indian women, particularly during pregnancy. The intervention focused on empowering young women (daughters-in-law) and their mothers-in-law to mitigate DV and related adverse health outcomes. By engaging both parties, the trial aimed to foster supportive family dynamics and reduce incidents of violence.

Key Outcomes and Strategies for Practitioners

• Empowerment-Based Interventions: The trial demonstrated that empowerment-based interventions could significantly impact DV reduction. Practitioners should focus on enhancing women's knowledge about safety, gender-equitable attitudes, decision-making skills, and resistance to DV.
• Involvement of Mothers-in-Law: The inclusion of mothers-in-law in the intervention was crucial. Their support can mitigate DV and improve family dynamics. Practitioners should consider engaging influential family members in intervention programs.
• Monitoring Safety: The trial emphasized the importance of monitoring safety risks and adverse events. Practitioners must establish robust safety protocols to protect participants and ensure ethical research practices.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding cultural dynamics is essential for effective intervention. Practitioners should tailor their approaches to fit the socio-cultural context of their target population.

Encouraging Further Research

The Dil Mil trial highlights the need for ongoing research into DV interventions. Practitioners are encouraged to explore further studies that examine different aspects of DV prevention and women's empowerment. Collaboration with local communities and stakeholders can enhance the effectiveness of these interventions.

For practitioners looking to deepen their understanding and improve their intervention strategies, reviewing detailed research findings is invaluable. To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Minimizing risks and monitoring safety of an antenatal care intervention to mitigate domestic violence among young Indian women: The Dil Mil trial.