Comparing family violence and community violence

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Interpersonal violence, encompassing family and community violence, presents significant public health challenges.
• Emergency departments serve as critical points for identifying and managing victims of violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the epidemiological characteristics of family violence and community violence incidents.
• To identify distinct patterns in victim demographics, injury types, and circumstances between family and community violence.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 8810 interpersonal violence cases admitted to an urban emergency department (Odense University Hospital, Denmark, 2014-2024).
• Data extraction included victim age, sex, location, time, weapon use, injury severity, diagnoses, and perpetrator information.
• Family and community violence defined using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

Main Results:

• Community violence (71.8%) was more prevalent than family violence (12.6%).
• Family violence victims were predominantly adult females in private residences, often with contusions/bruises. Community violence victims were often young/adult males in public areas, with contusions/bruises, wounds, and fractures.
• Head injuries were common in both, but more prevalent in community violence. Family violence victims sustained more frequent injuries to the neck, thorax, abdomen, and limbs. Blunt object use and skull fractures were more common in community violence.

Conclusions:

• Significant epidemiological differences exist between family and community violence, influencing victim profiles and injury patterns.
• Findings underscore the need for tailored clinical responses and interventions based on the specific context and perpetrator of violence.
• Enhanced data collection and analysis are vital for improving the management and prevention of interpersonal violence.