Domestic violence is a universal health care problem, affecting millions
of individuals worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 2 million
women per year report abuse episodes.2 Due
to the social stigma of domestic violence, lack of family and community support,
risks of escalated violence, and an uncertain future after intervention, episodes
are often not reported, especially in small towns, rural areas, and among
same-sex or military populations. Because domestic violence has medical, socioeconomic,
legal, and community considerations, a broad range of resources is often needed
to address it appropriately. Yet despite the widespread nature of the problem,
domestic violence resources, and access to them, vary widely among towns,
counties, states, and countries. Although no substitute for direct interventions,
the Internet and World Wide Web present opportunities to direct health professionals
and their patients to useful resources that could contribute to improved management
of this pressing problem.