Implications for practice and research

• Nurses and midwives are key health professionals for identifying and referring domestic abuse because of the nature of its relationship with women.

• Development of primary prevention strategies to prevent domestic violence is urgent and there is a need for more research in this area.

Context

Domestic violence, domestic abuse and intimate partner violence are serious public health problems affecting women and families worldwide.1 The origins of these issues are rooted at many levels, thus presenting a complex problem.2