Domestic abuse

Self-isolation and social distancing can be extremely difficult and dangerous for individuals experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Resources to help primary care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic:

SafeLives

IRISi have adapted all training to enable delivery by webinar. All practice staff are still able to access specialist IRIS training in DVA and are given the tools to ask about, and respond to, disclosures of DVA within both a virtual and face to face setting.


Responding to domestic abuse: a resource for health professionals (Department of Health and Social Care 2017) draws on the NICE multiagency guideline on Domestic Violence and Abuse on how to support adults and young people who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and dependent children in their households. It includes pointers to help practitioners identify potential victims, initiate sensitive routine enquiry and respond effectively to disclosures of abuse, and on how to deal with perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence.

Domestic abuse – a collection of resources from the RCGP  including IRIS – a practice based training, support and referral programme that can be commissioned locally.  IRIS provides domestic violence and abuse training for general practice teams and specialist support for those experiencing DVA.

The RCN has developed a  collection of links to websites and organisations providing information and support to victims of domestic abuse. The resources are designed to assist nurses and midwives in supporting their patients and clients but also recognise that nurses and midwives may themselves be victims of domestic abuse.

The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board offers a wide range of training on various safeguarding related subjects including Domestic Abuse. See their website for details.

The Domestic Violence and Abuse programme from e-LfH is intended for use by nurses and health visitors.  The programme consists of four introductory modules which have been updated and added in April 2020 following a refresh of the evidence, policy and legislation on domestic violence and abuse.

Other learning includes:

Elder abuse – read about the red flags healthcare professionals should look out for in GM Journal.


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Page last reviewed: 4 December, 2020