title: A ten-year experience of physical Intimate partner violence (IPV) in a French forensic unit.
abstract: Forensic units have a central role to play in healthy public policy, by the collection and management of violence. This study aims to describe the characteristics of physical Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against men reported over 10 years in the forensic unit of Toulouse (France) and to compare them with the characteristics of physical IPV against women over the same period. All the medico-legal reports of male victims over 18 years of age between 2005 and 2014 were analyzed. Female victims over 18 years of age in the same period were randomized by year in order to study a similar number of individuals. We analyzed 712 forensic reports of male victims and 865 forensic reports of female victims. Repeated consultation concerned 20.5% of women and 7.5% of men (p < 0.001). More male victims than female victims consulted in an emergency unit (p < 0.001). The most frequently alleged manner of attack was punching for male victims (34.1%) and grabbing or pushing for female victims (86.7%). There were fewer wounds and vascular or visceral injuries for female victims (p = 0.001). There were more reports of no injury for female victims (p < 0.001) and fewer reports with at least two injuries (p = 0.002). The most common injuries were superficial skin injuries (abrasion, bruise or hematoma) for both groups. On the one hand, physical IPV against women was more frequent than against men, while physical IPV against men seemed to be more severe than against women. The distribution of alleged manners of attack and injuries were consistent with previous studies. However, the mechanisms of the origin of the process of violence are difficult to apprehend in such a dyadic context. The findings should be interpreted with caution, but they provide original and substantial material, which can be useful in recognizing victims and in developing preventive strategies. With this aim, forensic units have a central role to play in the collection of violence and in individualized management. In France, this subject has not been extensively studied and future research is needed to emphasize the characteristics of IPV in order to better understand the phenomenon and to create and assess public policies in order to prevent it.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. Electronic address: fredsavall@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Savall
authors.affiliation: Département Universitaire de Médecine Générale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Agathe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lechevalier
authors.affiliation: UMR 1027, Epidémiologie et analyses en santé publique, Faculté de médecine, 37 allées J. Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hérin
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vergnault
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Telmon
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Timone, 264 Rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bartoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000066550:Physical Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Clinical forensic medicine; Injuries; Intimate partner violence; Violence against men