Violence in an urban community: a population-based interview study

Background: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of an unselected po pulation in an urban community (Bergen, Norway) that was exposed to physica l violence during the preceding year, and to determine the proportion seeki ng medical treatment and pressing legal charges. Method: A structured telephone interview was performed as part of monthly o pinion polls. Results: During a one-year period in 1997/1998, 3,005 residents of Bergen w ere interviewed. Of these, 41 (1.4%) had been exposed to physical violence during the preceding year; 10 (24%) of them had sought medical treatment, a nd 16 (39%) had pressed legal charges. The majority of the victims had been treated at Bergen Accident and Emergency Department. The interviewees knew about a total of 347 other people who had been assaulted during the preced ing year. Of these assault victims, 224 (63%) sought medical treatment and 181 (52%) pressed legal charges, according to the respondents. Conclusion: A high proportion of the assault victims did not seek medical t reatment and did not press legal charges.