SAQ 295 – Social Medicine – intimate partner violence risk assessment

Social Medicine – intimate partner violence risk assessment.

a. Injury characteristics

• Injuries concealed by clothing or heavy make-up.
• Injuries of different ages or stages of healing.
• Injuries during pregnancy.
• Central injury pattern, such as neck, throat, breast, or abdominal injuries.
• Bilateral extremity injuries.
• Assault-pattern injuries, such as cigarette burns, hair-pulling, nightstick fractures, or ruptured tympanic membrane.
• Evidence of strangulation, including neck bruising or abrasions, hoarse voice, petechiae, or subconjunctival/retinal haemorrhage.
• Genital, rectal, or other sexual-assault injuries.
• Mechanism inconsistent with the observed injuries.

b. Lethality risk factors

• Access to, or previous use of, weapons.
• Prior strangulation or choking, especially with loss of consciousness.
• Threats to kill the patient or children.
• Assault during pregnancy or after a new birth.
• Recent separation, planning to leave, or escalating violence.
• Stalking, coercive control, or social/financial isolation.
• Sexual violence.
• Threats or actual harm to pets.
• Victim belief that they may be killed.
• Perpetrator suicidality, obsession/jealousy, substance misuse, unemployment, criminal record, or restraining-order breaches.

c. ED resources

• Local protocols, screening tools, staff training, and trauma-informed practice with privacy.
• Safe discharge planning pathways, including police and refuge access when required.
• Clear referral pathways to social work, family-violence services, interpreters, Aboriginal liaison, or multidisciplinary supports.
• Safe physical spaces and trained security support.
• Staff welfare and debriefing processes.