Citation

Malecha AT, Lemmey D, McFarlane JM, Willson P, Fredland N, Gist J, Schultz P. J. Womens Health Gend. Based Med. 2000; 9(1): 75-78.

Affiliation

Texas Woman's University, College of Nursing, Houston, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/152460900318993

PMID

10718509

Abstract

We wished to ascertain abused women's perspectives on mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence. A consecutive sample of 161 abused women accessing the criminal justice system were asked six questions. Most women (81%) thought there should be a law making the nurse or doctor report the abuse, with less than half of the women (45%) reporting they would have been at greater risk for abuse following a mandatory report. Although these 161 abused women support mandatory reporting of partner abuse, it remains unclear if such a law would deter further abuse. Outcome and evaluation studies of mandatory reporting laws are urgently needed.

Language: en