Perpetration of violence against intimate partners

Abstract

"I ntimate partner violence is a widespread global phenomenon engendering serious health problems for women and children.1–3 Consequently, there have been many recommendations to identify and intervene with victims in the health care system. Although evidence of the efficacy of interventions for victims is still lacking, clinical trials are under way, and well-validated assessment strategies and protocols have been developed. In contrast, no protocols have yet been established for identifying perpetrators. This gap may be particularly important given that at least 20% of abusive males in one sample had been seen in the mental health system before killing their spouses and then themselves.4 Such patterns of intimate partner homicide– suicide have been documented in many countries, including South Africa,5 the setting of the study by Gupta and colleagues6 appearing in this issue of CMAJ."