Citation

Lancet 2004; 364(9445): 1556.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17323-6

PMID

15519611

Abstract

Domestic violence affects about one in four women in the UK and rates around the world are similar, if not higher in some countries. Domestic violence often starts or escalates in pregnancy and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for both the mother and baby. In spite of this, health-care workers' knowledge of this tragic situation is poor and attitudes towards its detection and management are inconsistent. Against this bleak backdrop, last week's publication in the UK of a report specifically aimed at improving care received by victims of domestic violence and the Government's announcement that screening for violence would become a routine part of antenatal services are important steps to tackle this major public-health issue.