A domestic violence prevention group says the case of a man who abused his family for five years highlights how important it is for hospital staff to look out for domestic violence.
The man, who has name suppression, was at the High Court in Auckland on Friday to prison for nine years for attacks on his wife and five of his children with weapons including a hammer and a vacuum-cleaner pipe.
His wife went to hospital several times, but was never recognised as a victim of domestic violence.
Shine spokesperson Jill Proudfoot said domestic abuse can be difficult to spot but hospital staff need to be vigilant.
She said most hospitals now carry out routine screening.
