J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2002 Mar;13(1):84-89.

Practical Analysis of Medical Care of Domestic Violence Victims in Emergency Department

• Ahn KO
• Eo EK
• Cheon YJ
• Jung KY

Abstract

PURPOSE: Our society is becoming more interested in domestic violence and proper care of those victims is required. This study was designed to develop a model of countermeasure against domestic violence that can be used in emergency department.
METHODS
This prospective, clinical study was performed from Dec. 2000 to Aug. 2001 at the emergency department, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. Fifty-five patients of the 1665 female trauma patients were found to be victims of domestic violence during study period. We investigated the frequency of domestic violence in the patient's past, whether a weapon had been used, whether the assailant was an alcohol abuser, and whether he assaulted the victim in a drunken state or not. We analyzed correlation between these factors and severity injury of the patients.
RESULTS
The average ISS of patients was 2.90+/-2.82, and 14 patients(25.8%) were admitted to hospital for treatment. Eighteen victims were reported to the police. Fourteen patients were injured with weapons, and in those cases, ISS and the hospital admission rates were marginallly higher than those not involving weapons(p=0.099). Police report rates in the weapon-using cases were 64.3%(9 people), which was considerably higher than those of nonweapons cases, 22.0%(p=0.007). No significant correlations exsisted between severity of patient's injury and frequency of domestic violence experienced in her past, assailant's alcohol history, and drunken assaulter.
CONCLUSION
When weapons were involved, the police report rates were considerably higher. The medical personnel should immediately evaluate the patients's condition and provide a plan for her safety.

Keyword

Domestic violence; Abuse

MeSH Terms

Domestic Violence*
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Female
Humans
Police
Prospective Studies
Weapons