Prevention of violence against women: recommendation statement from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

© 2003 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors In Canada, the annual prevalence of violence against women is about 8% among nonpregnant and 6% to 8% among pregnant women. For the purpose of our review and recommendations, violence against women is defined as physical and psychological abuse of women by their male partners, including sexual abuse and abuse during pregnancy. Of women who are abused, 25% suffer episodes of beating, 20% of choking and 20% of sexual assault; 40% suffer injury, and 15% receive medical care as a result of partner violence. Separate from physical violence, 19% of women suffer emotional abuse and controlling behaviour, including financial abuse or control. Emotional forms of abuse are highly correlated with physical violence: 5-year rates of violence are 10 times greater among those in emotionally abusive situations than among those who do not report emotional abuse. Women exposed to partner violence are at increased risk of injury and death as well as a range of physical, emotional and social problems. Abuse during pregnancy is associated with impairment in both the mother and child, including low birth weight.