Need for law enforcement in cases of intimate partner violence in a university ED

Am J Emerg Med. 1998 Jan;16(1):60-3. doi: 10.1016/s0735-6757(98)90067-5.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the proportion of men and women seen in a university emergency department (ED) for treatment of injuries resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV) that require reports to law enforcement authorities. A total of 1,516 adult ED patients were asked to complete a written survey instrument; 1,003 patients (66.2%) completed the survey. Two percent of patients reported they presented to the ED for treatment of injuries resulting from IPV. Three percent reported IPV within the last year, and 10% reported that they had ever been physically abused by a partner. Six percent of respondents reported that they had ever been threatened with a gun or knife by a partner, 2% within the past year. Only the lifetime prevalence of IPV was significantly greater among female patients, 15% versus 6% (P < .001). Approximately 2% of our ED patients require law enforcement intervention for IPV.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • California
  • Data Collection
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Mandatory Reporting*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Spouse Abuse / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*