LEGAL ISSUES IN TREATING PERPETRATORS AND VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

Psychiatrists are increasingly asked to see patients who have been eit her perpetrators or victims of violence. Common situations involving l egal implications for the psychiatrist include evaluations for civil c ommitment, potential dangerousness, protecting third parties, and the release from the hospital of a previously violent individual. Psychiat rists should be aware of the legal principles governing treatment of v iolent patients as well as the use of restraints, seclusion, and force d medication. The psychiatrist also has legal duties in evaluating vic tims of violence. These responsibilities are delineated in laws requir ing mandatory reporting of child abuse, elder abuse, and abuse of deve lopmentally disabled persons.