When a physician (in his/her professional capacity) observes that a person has been injured or killed by a violent act, or where there is reason to suspect assault or abusive conduct by a domestic partner, that physician must report these observations by telephone and follow up with a written report to the local law enforcement agency. Assault or abusive conduct is defined to include any number of prohibited criminal acts or attempted acts, such as assault with a deadly weapon, murder, manslaughter, mayhem, rape, spousal rape, battery, and sexual battery (Penal Code 11160(d)(1)-(d)(24). Domestic violence can occur between unmarried or married, cohabitating or not, and heterosexual or homosexual.
Use the following steps:
1. Health professionals must report suspected assault or abusive conduct.
2. Send a written report to the local law enforcement agency within two (2) working days of the observation.