Family violence across the life cycle.
BACKGROUND
Family violence covers a range of abuse including child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence and elder abuse. Each form of abuse has a significant negative impact on health and wellbeing, and patients present to general practice with varying physical and psychological issues. General practice is unique in that it often works with an entire family, which can be challenging and needs to be actively managed.


OBJECTIVE
This article aims to address clinical questions that general practitioners (GPs) may have in identifying and responding to patients experiencing family violence. It takes into account the different types of abuse victims experience and how to respond to perpetrators. The recommendations in this article can also apply to same-sex relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
Managing family violence requires a whole-of-practice approach to encourage a safe environment in which families can dis-close abuse and where GPs can respond appropriately. Abuse can be inter-generational and GPs have a role in identification, management and referral.
BA (Hons) PgDipLaw PgDipLegalPractice, Senior Research Assistant, General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC.
Kirsty
K
Forsdike
Laura
L
Tarzia
Elizabeth
E
Hindmarsh
Kelsey
K
Hegarty
D000328:Adult; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010819:Physician's Role; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires