Battered women: presentation at A&E departments in Singapore

This study was undertaken to assess the characteristics of battered women seen at the A&E department in Singapore. The first part was conducted at the A&E department of a general hospital in Singapore from July 4, 1992 to November 9, 1992. Ninety-six victims were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Information was obtained about the characteristics of victims, assailants and the assaults as well as the cause of presentation. In order to verify the universality of the findings, battered women seen at A&E departments of the four main general hospitals on the island from November 1, 1993 to January 31, 1994 were interviewed using a similar questionnaire. We found that the majority of the women were beaten by someone they knew and, for most, it was not a first-time assault. Most times, no weapon was used. Injuries were sustained mainly to the face and extremities. The majority of the victims were at the A&E department either because of the medical examination required in conjunction with a police report or because of the severity of their injuries.