Research studies show that approximately 900,000 parents are beaten or abused by their children each year. In 1988, researchers estimated that only 1 in 4 elder abuse incidents are reported, suggesting that 2 million incidents of elder abuse occurred that year. Approximately 2 million children in the United States are seriously abused by their parents, guardians or others each year, and more than 1,000 children die as a result of their injuries. Recent studies suggest that approximately 20 percent of children will be sexually abused in some way before they become adults, usually by someone they know. There are no typical victims.
Domestic abuse occurs among all ages, races, and socioeconomic classes.
It occurs in families of all educational backgrounds, including physicians. Individuals may be living together or separated, divorced, or prohibited from contact by temporary or permanent restraining orders. Despite the magnitude of the problem, identifying domestic violence victims is still a complex issue. It can be difficult to know whether someone fell or was pushed, and emergency physicians are working to improve identification of domestic violence when it occurs. The first thing a physician can do is recognize the signs of violence.