Backgrounds: Family violence affects the physical, emotional, financial and spiritual health of children and adults. Aim of work: study the epidemiological and medico-legal aspects of the reported cases of family violence and evaluate the role of medico-legal examination in diagnosis of the problem. Methods: comparative retrospective analysis of reports of family violence cases received at medico legal region of Cairo and Giza, ministry of justice, Egypt, from January 2010 to December 2013. Results: In Cairo governorate the total number of family violence cases were (160), in Giza governorate the total number were (171). Diagnosis of family violence was achieved by medicolegal examination of all alleged physical assault cases. In both studied governorates, married females, of 18-29 year old, and of low socioeconomic level, were the most common victims affected. The husbands were the most common offenders. Contusions of the face and neck, inflicted by hands and feet were the most common injuries recorded, with complete recovery of most victims. Conclusion and Recommendations: family violence is not inevitable problem and can be prevented. There is under referral and reporting of family violence cases. Diagnosis of pattern of family violence injuries is very important. Proper medical documentation of injuries is the rule of forensic doctor. |
