No one is immune from the risk of abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that 818,000 elderly Americans were victims of domestic abuse in 1994. 16, 17 There are far fewer data on lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGTB) victimization. However, the available literature suggests similarly high rates for LGTB adolescent and adult populations 18, 19 with higher rates in male same-sex relationships than female. 20 IPV occurs in every urban, suburban, rural and remote community; in all social classes, and in all ethnic and religious groups including immigrant and refugee populations. Consequently, all health care settings and professionals providing care to patients are treating patients affected by IPV and are in.
