How to screen for intimate partner violence

Domestic violence affects individuals in every part of the world, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality, or educational background. In the United States, domestic violence affects as many as 3 million women each year. Physicians and other health care providers have a unique opportunity to screen their patients-both female and male-for domestic violence or abuse. This article describes signs and symptoms of domestic violence that physicians should look for when seeing patients in the medical office or hospital and offers guidelines for initiating a discussion with patients who might be victims or abusers.