Criminology Research Council grant ; (28/88)
This report primarily studies the victims of violence who have presented to the Accident and Emergency Centre (AEC) of St Vincent's as 'alleged assaults' in the six-month period from 25 December 1988 through to 30 June 1989. A comprehensive profile of these cases is revealed from the structured Victim Survey that was the research tool. This study demonstrates that the victims of violence are a significant proportion of cases seen in this busy Emergency Department and it gives strong indications that violence is a prevalent problem for the whole community.
The report suggests that this is a problem which cannot be conveniently brushed aside as media sensationalism. Evidence of this is revealed through a comparison of the alleged assault presentations with the worker's compensation, motor vehicle accidents, alcohol and drug related presentations in the AEC. Additionally, the data was correlated with metropolitan and statewide police figures on violence and related to the reporting of incidents to the police.
Results provide a profile of the victims of assault and their attackers and these profiles are similar to those reported from a number of studies in different locations.
Recommendations include the ongoing collection of data on the cases presenting to all AECs, education of staff in handling victims of violence and dealing with violent patients, and liaison with community support groups for victims of violence.
A further report will be made available following additional, analysis of the data collected for this research.