In many societies, wife abuse is acceptable behaviour and justified as a routine part of married life. The absence of credible support systems for women victims helps perpetuate an escalation of violence. Nurses and Nursing Nurses have a particular interest in eliminating violence. As health care professionals, nurses often have first line contact with the increasing numbers of the victims of violence. Regrettably, a small number of nurses have also been known to be perpetrators of violence, patient or colleague abuse in violation of nursing s code of conduct.
Nurses also suffer from societal tolerance of violence.
The legal system has on several occasions refused to grant compensation to nurse victims. This was justified on the principle that to practise nursing was to accept the risk of personal violence. Nurses themselves often feel that they are legitimate targets and that violence is part of the job . Ninety-five percent of nurses around the world are women. Attitudes towards women are often reflected in interactions with the profession.