Domestic violence indicators
May 1, 1998 less than 1 minute read
Domestic violence indicators
Physical indicators:
Injuries consistent with abuse (e.g., burns, welts, bruises, bites)
Fractures, dislocations, injuries not consistent with trauma described
Unusual injury marks, as if from belt, rope, hairbrush injury
Dried blood, semen
Site of injury: face, throat, breasts, abdomen, genitals, bilateral extremities
Drug toxicity/overdose; alcohol intoxication
Problem pregnancies; preterm bleeding/miscarriage; self-induced abortion
Emotional indicators
Fearful of caregivers (including hospital staff and visitors)
Feels threatened with violence, institutionalization, abandonment, guardianship
Is withdrawn, fearful, depressed
Process of emotional abuse is observable (e.g., visitor yells/threatens/swears)
Suicide attempt in context of "relationship problems" and seeking treatment
Vague, nonspecific complaint of ill or failing health in context of "can't seem to do what I'm supposed to do"
History of or current self-mutilation
Other Indicators
Restrained or locked in/out of house
Is kept socially isolated
Has frequent, unscheduled use of ED care
Sleeping or eating disorders
Prolonged interval between onset of illness or injury
Single-car crash, either as a driver or passenger
Source: University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC
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