Atrial fibrillation in a primary health care district in rural Crete.

of a much neglected subject. There are several points however, that I should like to raise about it. Though it was mentioned that women experiencing domestic violence are at increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse in the abusing male partner is also a well recognised correlate of domestic violence. One recent review comments that 'half of all batterers coming to intervention will have alcohol abuse problems'.' Other substance abuse by men is similarly linked with an increased risk of the perpetration of domestic violence.2 Richardson and Feder maintain that younger age, and being divorced or separated are the only associated demographic features for identifying women experiencing domestic violence, yet research shows that cohabitees are also at greater risk of being battered than women who are married to their partners.3'4 Finally, the review implies that domestic violence always involves women as the victims. This is not so. Men are sometimes savagely beaten by their female partners. The needs of such male victims should not be dismissed any more than those of battered women. One expert who pours scorn on the idea of an epidemic of battered husbands, nonetheless concedes that 5% of domestic violence victims are men and that this is a 'serious problem'.S In one of the few recent UK studies on domestic violence victims presenting to a casualty department, the 300 cases comprised equal numbers of women and men, and surprisingly the study also found that men received more serious injuries and lost consciousness more often.6 I would wholly endorse the view that as GPs we should be much more aware of the prevalence of victims of domestic violence presenting covertly in our surgeries. The overwhelming majority of them will be women, and we should do all in our power to help them, but we should do no less for male victims too. I am a member of our local domestic violence forum in Merton, which is one of the most innovative in London in its involvement withnot only two refuges and other support services for women, but also a helpline for battered men which currently receives up to 50 calls for help a day.