Gender violence and mistreatment (II): approaching the problem from the Emergency Department

Coll-Vinent Puig B

Domestic violence is a significant health problem and the case prevalence rates are high

in emergency departments. The staff of these departments are in an excellent position to

detect cases of abuse and intervene early in the process. However, few cases are in fact

identified because of certain attitudinal barriers affecting both the women who are

victimized and the health care staff who treat them. Attention to signs that should raise

suspicion of abuse and even systematic screening are therefore recommended. In all

cases it is important to carry out a private interview, to guarantee confidentiality, and to

offer help. Victims should be cared for in an individualized way that takes into

consideration the woman’s situation and preferences and the level of threat to her life.

The medical problem that occasioned the visit should be treated and the need for

psychiatric care assessed. Appropriate social assistance should be offered and legal

requirements met, with particular attention to keeping accurate medical records and

notifying authorities when necessary. The problem calls for a multidisciplinary approach,

especially by creating good channels of communication between the emergency

department, primary care, and social services. Staff training and awareness raising are

critical in order to improve the emergency care presently given to women who are

victims of domestic violence.

Coll-Vinent Puig B