Citation

Poloczek S, Schmitt TK. Notfall Rettungsmed. 2011; 5(7): 498-504.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10049-002-0501-x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Referring to its consequences for individual and social health, domestic violence as a social issue of high complexity seems to be underestimated. Emergency physicians may be in a position to stop the cycle of violence in a number of acute stress situations by offering help to victims. Possible interventions are reassurance by recognition and verbalization of suspicion for domestic violence, medical guidance, thorough documentation and providing information about shelter homes, counseling and official institutions. Recently, institutional programs for detection and treatment of victims in emergency departments have been established in Germany, since EMS staff does usually have a rather genuine insight in social conditions of patients. However, an intervention at the scene is potentially dangerous. Professional training by well structured education and socio medical networking is a mandatory precondition for being effective in prevention and intervention aiming at the public health emergency domestic violence.