Laws mandating reporting of domestic violence. Do they promote patient well-being?

Abstract

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.1Batterers 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.2Domestic 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.5At least one fifth of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime.6Domestic violence is believed to be the most common cause of serious injury to women7and accounts for more