Screening for Domestic Violence

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the suggestion by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that all women should be screened for abuse when going to the doctor for a general checkup or other medical reasons. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this suggestion and points out that improper screening may put battered women in danger and that victims leaving their abusive partner are at increased risk of being harmed.

From the Paper:

"Increasingly, the importance of screening is being recognized. Conversely, it is understood how the lack of such screening can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death. Wadman and Muelleman (1999) reported that 44 percent of all female victims of domestic homicide had been in the emergency room less than 2 years before their deaths; these 15 patients made a total of 48 visits during this time period, for an average of over 3 visits each. Medical records showed documentation that suggested domestic violence for eight of the victims; however, there was no record of a single referral to a domestic violence agency or any domestic violence information being provided to them. Thus, multiple opportunities for intervention were missed before the problem became fatal. "

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