FAMILY VIOLENCE - AN OVERVIEW

This article reviews the definitions and epidemiology of the several f orms of interpersonal violence in family and intimate relationships. I nterpersonal violence includes both fatal and nonfatal violence where physical force, or other means, is used by one person with the intent of causing harm, injury, or death: family violence includes child malt reatment, adult intimate-partner violence, and elder mistreatment; abu se refers to a pattern of behaviors organized around the international use of power by one person to control another; and child maltreatment involves the abrogation of adult responsibilities for the care and pr otection of children, and includes child abuse, child sexual abuse, an d child neglect. Violence is a major public health problem in the Unit ed States. Half of assault and homicide victims are related to or acqu ainted with their assailants, as are two-thirds of rape victims. Child ren and adolescents are at particular risk of violence. The study of i nterpersonal violence is a complex and evolving field, and is increasi ngly a part of training and medical practice in academic settings.