D OMESTIC V IOLENCE E DUCATION AND R EPORTING : P UBLIC A TTITUDES ABOUT THE R OLES OF EMS

Abstract

Objective. This study assessed domestic violence (DV) exposure, awareness, education, and reporting within a specific geographic region. The goal was to determine what the public perceives as the role of emergency medical services (EMS) in dealing with domestic violence. Methods. A prospective, randomized telephone survey with random dialing pattern was used by the institution's Survey Research Laboratory in the Department of Sociology. Households from the region, which was rural with a military subset, were contacted during a four-month study period. Demographic data and opinions about DV exposure and reporting practices were collected. Results. A total of 1,057 individuals completed the survey. A total of 51.3% knew someone who was a DV victim. Although 73% stated they would report DV to law enforcement, 36.2% stated that 9-1-1/EMS providers are the most appropriate contact when reporting DV. Conclusions. Over one third of the people surveyed believed that EMS was the most appropriate contact when reporting DV. Because of the frequency with which EMS professionals may potentially encounter DV, and the fact that they are likely to be the first contact in DV situations, more education may be warranted in the EMS curriculum.