Spouse Abuse

[AlbertConstable]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I saw a question on UW that was about obvious spousal abuse followed by a threat that the abused wife is going to kill her husband that night.

I know you have to report the threat of the wife planning to kill the husband. I also know that you're required to report elder and child abuse. But are you required to report spousal abuse? UW says it is required while most other things I've read only require child and elder.

Comments?

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

I saw a question on UW that was about obvious spousal abuse followed by a threat that the abused wife is going to kill her husband that night.

I know you have to report the threat of the wife planning to kill the husband. I also know that you're required to report elder and child abuse. But are you required to report spousal abuse? UW says it is required while most other things I've read only require child and elder.

Comments?

I remember being pissed about that question. I was always taught (and have always read) that spousal abuse is not required to be reported. I'm not even sure if you CAN report it. I asked one of our ethics professors, and they said it was really a gray area; you probably wouldn't be sued for reporting it since it is a criminal act, but you'll definitely alienate your patient. On the other hand, in this case you're going to alienate your patient anyway since you do HAVE to report the homicidal intention, so you might as well spill the beans on the whole situation. BUT, I maintain that you are not required to.

 

[SoCuteMD]

I saw a question on UW that was about obvious spousal abuse followed by a threat that the abused wife is going to kill her husband that night.

I know you have to report the threat of the wife planning to kill the husband. I also know that you're required to report elder and child abuse. But are you required to report spousal abuse? UW says it is required while most other things I've read only require child and elder.

Comments?

I e-mailed UW about this. They acknowledged that their answer is incorrect and are fixing it.

THere are TWO states in which spousal abuse is a mandatory reporting issue: CA and Kentucky. Other than that, it's up to the abused.