Addressing caregiver intimate partner violence in the pediatric emergency department

Caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) is common, with an estimated one in 4 children exposed to family violence during their lifetime. This often leads to poor physical, emotional, and cognitive outcomes for these children. Pediatric emergency departments (EDs) are critical touchpoints for addressing caregiver IPV, as these caregivers frequently seek care for their children. This CME article explores the prevalence of caregiver IPV and identifies best practices around identification, trauma-informed care, documentation, and resource provision within pediatric EDs. We highlight universal education-an approach endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics-which involves providing IPV-related resources to all caregivers to normalize conversations and expand access to support. Ongoing efforts to enhance caregiver IPV identification and intervention in the pediatric ED setting are crucial for addressing this widespread public health concern.