MP45: What to do with #MeToo: pre and post presenting patterns of intimate partner violence

Abstract

Introduction: The #MeToo social media movement gained international status in October 2017 as millions disclosed experiences of sexual and intimate partner violence. People who experience violence from a former/current intimate partner may not present for care for many reasons, among them not knowing where to go for care, or not realizing they were experiencing abuse since the behavior was portrayed as ‘normal’. Empirical research identified increased police reporting, internet searches, and new workplace regulations on sexual assault/harassment after #MeToo. Less is known about how #MeToo has influenced hospital-based care, particularly among IPV cases. We aimed to investigate if the #MeToo social movement influenced patterns of IPV cases presenting for emergency care. Methods: This study took place at the Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program (SAPACP), within the Emergency Department of The Ottawa Hospital. Patients seen from November 1st, 2016 through to September 30th, 2017 was considered Pre-#MeToo and those seen November 1st, 2017 to September 30th, 2018 was considered Post-#MeToo. All patients seen in October 2017 were excluded. Analyses compare the proportion and characteristics of IPV cases seen Pre- and Post-#MeToo. Log-binomial regression models were used to calculate relative risk and 95% CI. Results: 890 cases were seen by the SAPACP during the total study period, of which 564 (63%) were IPV cases. 258 IPV cases were seen Pre-#MeToo and 306 IPV Post-#MeToo. The clinical presentation for IPV cases was similar between both periods where approximately 42% of IPV cases presented for sexual assault, 50% presented for physical assault. An increase in frequency and proportion of IPV cases was observed post-#MeToo. Post-#MeToo there were 48 additional cases of IPV, corresponding to almost a 20% increase in risk compared to the Pre-#MeToo period. (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31) Post-#MeToo, there were more presenting cases of IPV among male/trans cases (9 vs 26) and youth cases (82 vs 116). Conclusion: #MeToo is a powerful social movement that corresponded with a significant increase in IPV cases presenting for emergency care. While the assault characteristics among IPV cases remained similar, an important contribution of this research is the increase in youth, male/transgender patients who presented for care post-#MeToo. Continued investigations into pre- post-#MeToo trends is needed to understand more about the changing clinical population and to inform resource and service allocation.