Intimate partner violence and witnessing domestic violence: medico-legal implications, standards of proof, and institutional duties

This editorial accompanies the comprehensive review on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Witnessing Domestic Violence (WDV) published in this issue, with a focus on their medico-legal implications. It highlights how clinical consequences - ranging from chronic pain syndromes to psychiatric sequelae - must be translated into legally cognizable injuries through rigorous forensic evaluation. Particular attention is given to the recognition of children as 'primary victims' of WDV, the evidentiary value of medical documentation, the duties of healthcare professionals under mandatory reporting frameworks, and the quantification of psychological harm in civil compensation. The discussion also considers institutional liability for omissions, the reciprocal expectations between clinicians and courts, and the research priorities necessary to align public health and justice. Ultimately, IPV and WDV must be understood as violations of fundamental rights that demand integration of clinical expertise, forensic rigor, and legal accountability.