IDENTIFYING FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

IDENTIFYING FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Injuries that are difficult to account for as accidental;

Client seems evasive, embarrassed, ashamed of injuries;

Injuries on an area of the body normally covered by clothing;

An accompanying partner wants to speak for a client and/or insists on staying close to the client;

Substantial delay between time of injury and presentation for treatment;

Suicide gestures or attempts;

Depression;

Sleep disturbance;

History of excessive alcohol or drug use;

Medical history reveals many "accidents" with injuries of suspicious origin;

There are multiple sites of injury;

The client appears to be frightened of her partner; and

The injury is repeated or chronic.

Violence often increases or starts for the first time during pregnancy. One Australian study found that two-thirds of pregnant patients in an emergency department presented as a result of FDV (Kerr, 1989). The 1994 Brisbane Royal Women’s Hospital study raised a particular concern in relation to the level of violence suffered by some women. Punching, kicking, choking and assault with knives and other weapons was not uncommon and the attacks sometimes led to severe injuries and reported miscarriage.
Physical presentations of abuse:

Injuries, particularly to the breasts, abdomen and genital area, or unexplained pain;

Excessive substance use, poor nutrition, depression, and late or sporadic access to prenatal care;

Bruises of various ages or patterned injuries;

"Spontaneous" abortions, miscarriages and premature labour; and

Nasal fracture.

© Health Department of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: Friday, 20 March 1998 10:28