Issues of domestic violence unique to rural areas

Domestic violence against women occurs within and across all socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic regions of the United States. Many of the dynamics related to domestic violence, and which trap women in violent relationships, also cross these boundaries. These dynamics include societal and community attitudes toward violence, isolation, fear of exposure, lack of resources to facilitate leaving a violent relationship, and lack of sufficient accessible services for victims of violence. This paper highlights that these and other issues of domestic violence are intensified in rural settings. As such, physicians working in rural areas may face unique challenges in helping battered women. Such challenges will require solutions based on knowledge of specific rural location. A number of rural-based solutions for physician interventions with rural battered women are discussed.