The Ethical Obligation of the Obstetrician to Screen for and Help Patients Experiencing Domestic Violence

Obstetricians have the ethical obligation to screen all patients for domestic violence.

Domestic violence affects one in four women during their lifetime and remains a silent epidemic during pregnancy. It is defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors — physical, emotional, sexual, or financial, used by one partner to exert power and control over another. During pregnancy, this can take the form of physical assaults, threats, coercion, or co…