Domestic Violence: What Every Multicultural Clinician Should Know

Domestic violence (DV) is a social reality affecting the lives of millions of Americans across gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cultural backgrounds. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (National intimate partner and sexual violence survey: 2010 summary report, 2010) found that approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men living in the USA experience physical abuse by their intimate partners every year. Domestic violence results in nearly 2.0 million injuries and 1,300 deaths every year (Chronister & Aldarondo, 2012). Death and injuries are only two of the many consequences of domestic violence, albeit the most serious. Given the extent and severity of its impact, it is essential for clinicians to gain knowledge about a variety of issues related to domestic violence.