BMJ 1998;316:1551-1560 ( 23 May )

Editorials

Violence begins at home

Domestic strife has lifelong effects on children

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Physical violence in the family probably blights the lives of more people than all genetic disorders put together, yet research on the issue has struggled to achieve scientific legitimacy.1 Violence in the family includes "any act or omission committed within the framework of the family by one of its members that undermines the life, the bodily or psychological integrity, or liberty of another member of the same family or that seriously harms the development of his or her personality."2 Separating the causes and effects of domestic violence from those of poor parenting, poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and violent neighbours and schools is a tough research challenge.3 

Estimates of how many people experience violence in the family depend on definition, circumstances, and the method of inquiry,1 but even the lowest figures show that this is a common and serious problem. Several forms of violence and abuse may occur in the . . . [Full text of this article]
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Children's health starts at home
BMJ 1998 316: 0. [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Brooks, R M, Mott, A M (2008). Domestic violence: what should paediatricians do?. Arch. Dis. Child. 93: 558-560 [Full text]  
  • Vostanis, P., Tischler, V., Cumella, S., Bellerby, T. (2001). Mental Health Problems and Social Supports Among Homeless Mothers and Children Victims of Domestic and Community Violence. Int J Soc Psychiatry 47: 30-40  
  • Lynch, M. A, Gough, D. (2001). Reaching all children. BMJ 323: 176-177 [Full text]  
  • Webb, E., Shankleman, J., Evans, M. R, Brooks, R. (2001). The health of children in refuges for women victims of domestic violence: cross sectional descriptive survey. BMJ 323: 210-213 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Feingold, M. H. (2000). Everything's Not O.K. at Home. CLIN PEDIATR 39: 41-42  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Women bear the brunt of domestic violence
Jo Richardson
bmj.com, 24 May 1998 [Full text]
A broad violence definition, caution please.
Robert Cordia
bmj.com, 25 May 1998 [Full text]
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