DOI: 10.36347/sasjs

Pages: 278-286

Over the past 40 years, intimate partner violence (IPV) has evolved from an emerging social problem to a socially unacceptable crime. It is defined as any act of sex-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering between partners. Although men do experience intimate partner violence, it is considerably more prevalent among women. 1.366 consecutive patients with diagnosed IPV were included in our study over a period of eight years (91.1% female). Mean age was 34 years (range 9 to 93). 56 (4.5%) reported pregnancy and 892 (65.2%) patients had a migration background. Data collection was performed prospectively and statistical evaluation was performed retrospectively. Correlation between IPV numbers and migration background was significant (MB 892 (65.3%) vs NMB 474 (34.7%) compared to the Viennese population (20.4%)(p<0.005). Association between IPV cases and lunar phases was significant for absent moon 166 cases (weighted 29%) (p<0.005) compared to crescent (weighted 23.8%) or decrescent (weighted 22.4%) moon. Coherence between socioeconomic status and IPV could not be proofed. A total of 1.051 (76%) accepted inclusion in the victim protection program, and in 484 (35.4%) cases photographic documentation was performed.