Intimate Partner Violence in the Emergency Department: The Necessity of Screening and Intervention

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health emergency and due to the often-hidden nature of IPV, it is not readily apparent who is a victim. However, a large proportion of victims are economically disadvantaged, and the emergency department is the first place where many patients present, whether it be for related or unrelated concerns. IPV is difficult to detect, and unfortunately, physicians are also notoriously poor at predicting who is a victim, especially in the emergency department. Because IPV is lethal, it is imperative to improve detection of victims and to intervene when they come forward. This paper seeks to elucidate future sustainable improvements in IPV detection and intervention in the emergency department. Findings indicate that universal computer screening in the emergency department followed by immediate intervention and contact with an IPV-specific advocate is a necessary step to start combating IPV.