Laws Mandating Reporting of Domestic Violence: Do They Promote Patient Well-being?

DOMESTIC violence is increasingly recognized as a major public health problem, affecting individuals of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Domestic violence has been defined as a pattern of coercive control consisting of physical, sexual, and/or psychological assaults against current or former intimate partners.¹ Batterers also commonly use economic abuse, isolation, and intimidation to exert power over their partners. This article often refers to the battering of women, since 90% to 95% of domestic violence victims are women.² Domestic violence also can occur against men and in homosexual as well as heterosexual relationships.^3,4

Approximately 4 million women are believed to be battered every year by their partners.⁵ At least one fifth of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime.⁶ Domestic violence is believed to be the most common cause of serious injury to women⁷ and accounts for more