Abuse of women and children in a Philippine community

This retrospective study describes the demographic profiles, types of injuries and characteristics of abusers of 1354 women and children survivors of domestic violence who sought medical care from the obstetrics and gynecology resident and attending staff in the Women and Children Protection Unit in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1998. Thirty-nine percent of these patients were sexually abused; their peak age was 11-20 years. Almost 75% of sexual abusers were from outside of the household. The highest incidence of physical abuse occurred in ages 26-35 years. Seventy-five percent of this form of abuse was in the home and perpetrated by husbands and live-in partners. Our data add to the expanding literature demonstrating the existence of family violence throughout the world. The role of our Protection Unit in responding to the victims of family violence is in keeping with the responsibilities and the ethical obligations all obstetrician-gynecologists have to the safety, physical and psychological needs of the women they serve.