Domestic Violence

The Problem

Domestic violence or abuse remains a major health concern in Canada.

Its effects are seen in all areas of health care. Health professionals clearly have a role to play in detecting and supporting victims of domestic violence. Guidelines on dealing with this problem have been developed by professional organizations across the country. Most of the literature on domestic violence deals with situations in which the perpetrator is male and the victim female (woman abuse). It should always be remembered that abuse can occur within same-sex relationships and that males can also be victims of abuse. Domestic violence can occur at any age as well. For the purpose of this presentation, we are focusing on woman abuse.

Domestic violence results in significant health related costs.

In Canada the estimated health related cost of violence perpetrated against women is $1.5 billion per year; this includes $225 million in medical consultations and $506 million in short and long term psychiatric care.

The prevalence of abuse is so high that most health professionals, especially physicians are likely to see or treat cases, regardless of the nature of their practice.

Surveying to assess the incidence of abuse is imperfect; however, in a Statistics Canada survey of 12,300 women over the age of 18:

1. 30% reported having been assaulted by their male partner at least once
2. almost 20% more than once
3. almost 10% more than 10 times.²

A 1997 report on homicides in Canada showed that 78% of all spousal homicide victims were women.⁴

It is frequently stated that domestic violence is exaggerated and that where it does occur the degree of violence is overstated.

The most prevalent forms of violence reported by women are:

1. Pushing, grabbing and shoving in approximately 25% of cases
2. 44% of women report use of a weapon against them-36% of these stated that the weapon used was a gun or a knife
3. 1/3 of women reporting abuse said they had feared for their lives.²

The likelihood of a physician detecting abuse has been poor, as demonstrated in many studies. Of all health professionals physicians are in the best position to enquire about the experience of domestic violence

It is hoped that intensive educational efforts will make it less likely that:

1. 25% of abused women will seek health care at least 11 times for trauma before disclosing abuse.
2. 23% will make 6-10 independent visits to MD's for abuse related injuries⁷

Last Modified: September 5, 2006