Prevalence of Physical Violence in the Medical-Forensic Approach in the Years 2015–2020 in City and Neighboring Municipalities: Perspectives from Poland—Poznań Study

Abstract

Forensic medical opinions serve the appropriate classification of a crime against health. Violence, a multifaceted phenomenon, requires forensic medical examination in the case of causing damage to health. Due to the effects caused by the perpetrator, the damage to health is divided into severe, medium, and light. This study analyzed 7689 incidents of violence from 2015–2020, taking place in the area subordinate to the Provincial Police Headquarters in Poznań, based on anonymized documentation of forensic medical examinations performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Poznań at the request of the Police and privately. The analysis took into account: units ordering the test, type of exposure, medical help, sex and age of the victim, places of the incident, classification and localization of injury, manner of impact, attitude of the perpetrator to the victim, profession of the victim, gender of the perpetrator, and remarks. In Poland, statistics on violence victims are underestimated, resulting from the low reporting of crimes committed to law enforcement authorities. There is a need for programs to educate the perpetrator of violence on methods of conflict resolution and programs to prevent violence, covering events taking place in public spaces.

Characteristics of physical violence against pregnant women — analysis of medico-legal data and literature review

“…The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The study is a continuation of a project dedicated to researching and describing the phenomenon of violence in Poznań and neighboring municipalities in 2015-2020 [12].…”

“…In addition, some maternal complications become more common, like postpartum depression and insufficient weight gain during pregnancy. In Poland, the basic protection tool is the Blue Card program, which provides multidisciplinary supervision of the endangered environment [12]. The key role, both in the Blue Card procedure and in the rapid response to an incident of violence, is played by the police [12].…”

“…In Poland, the basic protection tool is the Blue Card program, which provides multidisciplinary supervision of the endangered environment [12]. The key role, both in the Blue Card procedure and in the rapid response to an incident of violence, is played by the police [12]. After receiving and verifying a report, the police may refer the woman to a forensic examination.…”

“…156 respectively, Penal Code) [12,14,15]. Moreover, Polish law also protects the health of the developing fetus, which is specified in Article 157a of the Penal Code [15].…”