Addressing intimate partner violence and abuse of older or vulnerable adults in the health care setting-beyond screening

Intimate partner violence (IPV) (defined as physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and stalking) and abuse of older or vulnerable adults are common in the United States and globally. Recent estimates of prevalence in the United States from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a nationally representative random-digit-dial telephone survey, indicate that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner resulting in consequences such as injury, need for medical care, or posttraumatic stress symptoms. The prevalence of elder abuse varies depending on the population and ascertainment methods, but 1 national survey reports a 10% past year prevalence for abuse or neglect.