Post COVID-19 Pandemic and Intimate Partner Violence: Family Physician to Its Rescue.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have led to increased stress within households.
• Reports indicate a significant rise in intimate partner violence (IPV) cases globally and specifically in Malaysia, with a 42% spike noted.
• Family physicians are likely to encounter more IPV-related injuries as movement restrictions are lifted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inform family physicians in Malaysia about the increasing incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) injuries.
• To highlight the challenges in identifying IPV victims, particularly when they are accompanied by their abusers.
• To encourage the utilization of post-pandemic opportunities for detecting "voiceless" IPV victims.

Main Methods:

• This communication is a review and informational piece based on reported trends and Ministry of Health Malaysia data.
• It emphasizes the role of family physicians as frontline healthcare providers in identifying IPV.
• The abstract discusses strategies for recognizing subtle signs of IPV, even in the presence of a perpetrator.

Main Results:

• A 42% increase in IPV cases was reported in Malaysia in the past year.
• Family physicians are expected to see a rise in IPV admissions post-lockdown.
• Undetected IPV victims pose a significant challenge, especially when accompanied by their abusers.

Conclusions:

• Family physicians play a crucial role in identifying and supporting victims of intimate partner violence.
• The post-pandemic period presents a critical window for family physicians to proactively screen for IPV.
• Developing strategies to detect IPV in challenging situations, such as when the abuser is present, is essential for victim safety.