Comparing family violence and community violence

This retrospective study compares the epidemiological characteristics of incidents of family violence and community violence admitted to an urban emergency department. The study included 8810 victims of interpersonal violence admitted to the emergency department or trauma centre at Odense University Hospital, Denmark from 2014 to 24. Data about age, sex, place of violence, date and time of treatment, weapon use, injury severity, diagnoses and perpetrator were extracted from the patient registry system. Family and community violence were defined according to WHO. Family violence accounted for 12.6% of the incidents and community violence accounted for 71.8%. In 15.6% of the cases, the victim did not disclose any information about the perpetrator. Family violence predominantly involved adult female victims in private residences, typically admitted during daytime and evening hours with mostly contusions/bruises. Community violence predominantly involved young or adult male victims in public areas, typically admitted during daytime and nighttime hours, most commonly with contusions/bruises, wounds and fractures. While head injuries were the most frequently observed in both groups, it was more prevalent in community violence. Injuries to the neck, thorax, abdomen, upper and lower limbs were more frequent among family violence victims. Blunt object use and skull fractures were more common in community violence. The injury severity did not differ significantly. Our findings indicate a need for tailored clinical responses based on the context and perpetrator in the violent incident.