The New Zealand Medical Journal 117(1202) 24 Sept 2004

This article is written in response to Dr Felicity Goodyear-Smith's article "Recognising and Responding to Partner Abuse: Challenging the Key Facts". The author argues that Goodyear-Smith's views on strategies for the identification and response to intimate partner abuse may misrepresent research findings in this area, potentially affecting how this issue is addressed. The author discusses the pervasive physical and mental health consequences experienced by victims of intimate partner abuse. She posits that Goodyear-Smith did not consider the historical and global context of intimate partner abuse in her article. The author concludes by stating that all forms of violence are unacceptable, and more attention and effort should be directed towards the prevention of violence in society.