Gender and physical violence

This study examines incidents of physical violence in relation to the sex of both assault victim and attacker. A survey of all assault victims attending an urban accident and emergency department (AED) in Norway during a 2-year period was carried out. All the assault victims were interviewed using a structured questionnaire administered by the attending physician as part of the initial consultation at the AED. During this interview, information about the victims, the attackers and the assaults was collected from the victims. Information on the sex, age, alcohol state of victims, and any referral to hospitals and specialists, was collected from the victimʹs medical notes at the AED. The severity of the victimʹs injuries was rated retrospectively using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Shepherdʹs Injury Severity Scale for rating of injuries of assault.