The impact of assault within a regional Victorian population.

Abstract

The reported incidence of interpersonal violence and assault is increasing in Victoria and contributes to the rising health bill, personal grief and social disruption.

This study is a retrospective analysis of the injuries sustained by 890 assault victims presenting to the Geelong Hospital over the two year period of 1993 and 1994.

The results indicate that most injuries were relatively minor in nature and were managed in a short space of time. The head and face were injured in a high proportion of cases and few patients sustained injury as a result of stabbing or shooting. Few patients required admission to the hospital although a high proportion required follow-up management.

The study identified the nature of physical injury suffered by the assault victims. Such knowledge is of use in the assessment of these patients in emergency departments. The study helps to elucidate the extent of this increasing yet potentially preventable social problem. The results may be used as a baseline to monitor changing patterns of assault within the region.