Woman abuse and pediatrics: expanding the web of detection

Efforts to increase the medical care system's responsiveness to victims of domestic violence have been focused on emergency and obstetric/gynecologic care. This paper advocates for expanding the web of detection to include pediatric practitioners. In order to effectively address the issue of domestic violence, medical providers must be linked to community-based resources. Physicians need to understand the complexity of this issue and focus on the process (empowerment) rather than on an outcome (leaving). A broader conceptualization of the battering situation, appropriate medical system response, and specific suggestions for how pediatric providers can inquire about and respond to domestic violence are provided.