Rawa Jaafar Kadhim Al-A
37 years old female presented with chest pain, giving a history of trauma to chest caused by fall from stairs. By examination; the patient looks anxious, withdrawn with mask face. There are multiple bruises on the chest. The patient refuses to examine the whole body excusing that she is in pain. X-ray of the chest shows anterior 1st rib fracture. The physician asked the patient if she had suffered from physical abuse, the patient denied excusing that it was just an accident. "Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation". It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. Physical abuse should be suspected when a patient is presented with frequent injuries with an excuse of an accident. This report aimed to make the physician more alert of domestic abuse with an active role in dealing with abused women by ensuring the patient, giving support and encouraging her to speak up.
