Addressing violence in the emergency department

Violent injury remains a major cause of death and disability for children and youth in this country, even with the dramatic declines in violent injury rates experienced in recent years. Most youth and adolescents with or who are at risk for violence-related injuries present in emergency department (ED) settings, although some come to the attention of the police. Similarly, many women present to EDs with injuries related to domestic violence, and it is well described that children exposed to such situations suffer both short- and long-term consequences from these exposures. Given the significance of these issues with respect to the health and well-being of children, it is important for emergency care and primary care professionals to consider the roles they can play in the acute management, assessment for future risk, screening for risk, and follow-up services involved in the response to violent injury.