Should doctors be more proactive as advocates for victims of violence?

Abstract

Currently the management of adult victims of violence by general practitioners and accident and emergency departments is reactive, concerned almost exclusively with the management of physical injuries. Professor Jonathan Shepherd outlines some ideas for a more proactive approach on the part of doctors to improve the protection and support of vulnerable people; to deal with psychological sequelae; to take the responsibility of making an official complaint to the police away from seriously injured people, who are unable to give or withhold consent to disclosure; and to prevent assailants inflicting further injuries. We asked a sociologist, a psychiatrist, a moral philosopher, and a police surgeon for their comments.