Domestic Violence

What Can Clinicians Do?

Have a high index of suspicion in your practice

Frequently the clinical presentations are not overt. However, studies have suggested that 30% of injured women presenting to emergency rooms were injured during domestic altercations, whereas 22.7% of women seeking health care from family physicians reported assault by their partner in the preceding year.^5,6

Suspect Abuse when:

• History of recurrent trauma or "accidents"
• The explanation of injuries does not fit the physical evidence
• Delay in seeking medical assistance
• Injuries to multiple sites that may be in multiple stages of healing
• Symmetrical and bilateral injuries
• Injuries to head, neck torso, breasts , abdomen or genitals
• Fingerprint or strangulation bruises.
• Injuries when pregnant
• Chronic illness that is refractory to treatment
• STD's without a history of multiple partners
• Frequent pregnancies when unwanted by woman
• Sexual dysfunction or disinterest
• Sexually addictive behaviour.
• Frequently miss appointments
• Poor eye contact, flat affect or hypervigilant
• Seldom goes anywhere without partner: partner speaks for the patient
• Family history of abuse
• Runaway children

Last Modified: September 5, 2006