Strengthening the role of forensic medicine in health sector responses to violence: two initiatives

Abstract

Each year world-wide tens of thousands of women and children suffer acts of physical, sexual and psychological violence inflicted by their family members, intimate partners, acquaintances, and sometimes, strangers. The consequences of this violence require sensitive and comprehensive services for victims—a need which often goes unmet. Forensic medicine has much to contribute to bridging the current gap between the care needs of victims of violence and the services that are available to them. This article describes two initiatives designed to strengthen the health sector response to violence, particularly the role of forensic medicine in that response.