As a domestic violence nurse specialist,you are asked to testify in a court case involving intimate partner abuse.The defense attorney asks,"When Mr.and Mrs.Smith came to the emergency room several people were around,yet Mrs.Smith still did not say that Mr.Smith hit her.With all those people around,why didn't Mrs.Smith accuse her husband then?" What is the most likely and most appropriate rationale?

Question

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Intimate partner violence often involves a cycle of violence and manipulation, in which the abuser seeks to isolate the victim and control their behavior. Victims may be accompanied by their abuser to the emergency room or other settings and feel pressure to minimize or deny the abuse in order to prevent further violence. Therefore, it is not uncommon for victims to be untruthful about the cause of their injuries, particularly when their abuser is present.

As a Domestic Violence Nurse Specialist,you Are Asked to Testify