The consequences of abusive relationships are reflected in the physical andpsychologic distress for which women seek assistance from health care providers. Although the physical and mental health problems from the abuse are addressedand treated, the heart of the matter-the abuse at home-goes unattended. Womenoften leave the health care setting as isolated and uninformed about options as when they came in. Mental health settings offer important opportunities for psychiatricnurses to identify and intervene with women in abusive relationships. Whether en counters are relatively brief or occur over an extended period of time, importantinteractions can take place. The nurse's response to women in abusive relationshipsis one component of a unified community-wide response that is needed to preventviolence and abuse in the home. (J AM PSYCHIATR NURSES Assoc [1995]. 1, 48-54)
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