Service use following violence: insights from the linked administrative data in South Wales

Background To better support victim-survivors of violence and inform violence prevention initiatives, it is important to understand potential barriers and facilitators for using services such as healthcare and police. Administrative data are often limited to the users of a particular service, while linked data provides an opportunity to examine factors associated with the use of multiple services or one over the other. The present research used linked emergency department (ED) and police data from South Wales to understand the individual and contextual factors associated with the use of healthcare and police support. Methods Analyses of the sociodemographic characteristics of victims and characteristics of violent incidents were conducted for the incidents that appeared in the police data only, ED data only, and both services. Adjusted logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with contacting both services and police first. Results Victims of violent incidents that happened at the victim’s home rather than on the street were more likely to approach the police in addition to the ED. Those who experienced violence from a current or former partner were also more likely to approach the police first than those who experienced violence from a stranger. If a violence incident happened at a workplace, victims who used the ED were less likely to approach the police. Older age and alcohol consumption were associated with the use of both services. Conclusions More measures are required to encourage young people to use services. Identifying and addressing barriers for disclosing workplace violence is recommended.