issued a statement warning that rates of widespread intimate partner violence (IPV) will increase owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including intimate partner femicides. 1 Measures to minimize the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinforce environments that facilitate behaviours used by one person within an intimate relationship to exert power over and inflict physical, psychological or sexual harm on another. 2 The stress of confinement, financial uncertainty, attitudes about gender roles and a desire for control during disasters all contribute to an increased risk of IPV. 3,4 During their recent lockdowns, China, Italy and Spain reported a substantial increase in calls to IPV emergency support lines. 5 Areas of the United Kingdom and France have seen increases of 20% and 30%, respectively, in police reports regarding IPV. In Canada, calls to the Vancouver Battered Women's Support Services have tripled, 6 while in Alberta, specialized crisis lines for IPV have seen a 30%-50% increase in calls. In Ontario, the York and Durham Regional Police Departments reported a 22% increase in domestic incidents and sexual assault reports. 7 Health care providers, although facing the need to learn many new skills related to COVID-19, must also maintain awareness of IPV, seek opportunities for self-education, develop strategies for discussing IPV and become familiar with currently available local resources for patient referral.Intimate partner violence is already the most common cause of nonfatal injury to women worldwide. 3 Even in the absence of a public health emergency, women have a 30% estimated lifetime prevalence of physical and sexual IPV. 2 Worldwide, a woman is killed by their intimate partner every 6 days. 7 Health care professionals frequently encounter victims of IPV. One in 3 women presenting to the emergency department after a trauma have been injured by their partner, and 1 in 6 women presenting to an orthopedic fracture clinic have experienced IPV in the previous 12 months. 8 Of women murdered by their intimate partner, 45% presented to a health care professional for treatment of an IPV injury in the 2 years before their death. 3 Identified risk indicators for IPV include lower socioeconomic status, inadequate social supports, low education level, substance abuse, mental illness, younger age, unintended pregnancy, financial dependency and employment status. 4,9 However, IPV affects all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic strata, ages and relationship statuses. 8 Because of discrimination or prejudgment, individuals who have experienced IPV may be overlooked. 2 Head and neck trauma and upper extremity injuries are the most common physical health care presentations related to IPV. 3 Unfortunately, only 14% of patients presenting to health care practitioners with IPV-related injuries are asked questions to identify IPV and initiate support. 9 For patients in whom the health care practitioner suspects IPV, best evidence supports direct questioning about I...

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