Domestic abuse: Professional resources
National guidance and links to websites and organisations providing relevant information and support to victims of domestic abuse
This page provides information and resources for all nursing and midwifery staff working in any setting.
The resources provide guidance and advice for anyone who will encounter people impacted by domestic abuse.
RCN resources
Anonymous Registration on the Electoral Register in the UK
The RCN supports the need for all individuals to be able to contribute to society, and this includes an individual’s right and access to register to vote. This guidance is aimed at nurses and midwives, who may be supporting victims of domestic abuse or related safeguarding issues, to register to vote anonymously in elections.
See: Anonymous Registration on the Electoral Register in the UK.
RCN position statement on domestic abuse
The RCN is committed to supporting nurses, midwives and health care workers to better understand the complexities that surround domestic abuse, whether it affects them personally or professionally. This statement sets out the RCN's position on domestic abuse. It defines domestic abuse and summarises the College's actions and commitments in this area.
View the RCN's position statement.
Risk assessment pathway to identify domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is a major safeguarding issue and all health care professionals have a role in increasing awareness, and being inquiring when confronted with behaviours that raise concerns and alarm, even if there is no evidence of injury. The vast majority of health care professionals will come in contact with someone who is a victim of abuse within the confines of their recognised home, and need to know what to do.
As part of the RCN's ongoing work, the project team have developed a single page pathway which will help nurses and midwives to better understand their role when they suspect someone may be a victim of domestic abuse. Often the challenge is what to do if there is a suspicion or initial instinct that someone (patient or colleague) is at risk of /or a casualty of domestic abuse?
This pathway provides some introductory questions which may be used to initiate a conversation where there are concerns, and what to if there is an immediate risk, or less urgent risk to be managed. It also provides space to add local contacts. It is critically important, that once a suspicion has been confirmed that the health care professional knows who to contact and what needs to be done, to ensure the victim remains safe and is cared for effectively. For example, who to contact if the woman is pregnant, or has other needs.
It is important to acknowledge the pathway is simply an overview of ways forward, and should be supplemented with ongoing safe guarding training and education.
Guidance for Nurses and Midwives to Support Those Affected by Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is a significant safeguarding issue in all societies and is a challenging issue for everyone. This guide has been developed in response to the recognition by the RCN of the need for nurses, midwives and health care support workers and all health care professionals to have an understanding of the impact of the domestic abuse of patients, clients and colleagues.
For more information, see: Guidance for Nurses and Midwives to Support Those Affected by Domestic Abuse.
Further resources
A cry for health. The ‘Cry for health’ evaluation study published by SafeLives looks at the impact of providing specialist support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse in a hospital setting. 'Domestic abuse has a devastating effect on the health and wellbeing of victims and families, and is a national public health epidemic.'
NHS Employers: Domestic violence. This page looks at the financial cost of domestic violence to employers.
Nursing Times. Abuse in the home and the role of the nurse in the community.
RCNi. Lambert, N. Supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse (2021).
RCNi. Primary Health Care journal. Using forum theatre with health visitor students to improve recognition and risk assessment of honour-based violence.
Please follow the links to find out more about:
Legislation and employment support for the specific legal position across the UK. Also employment support particularly for nurses and midwives and those working in health care.
General resources and support provides a selection of useful links to web sites and organisations providing relevant information and support to victims and those impacted by domestic abuse.
National guidance
UK
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary: Domestic violence
England
All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Domestic Violence (2017) Minutes of the APPG on Domestic Violence Meeting. The meeting focused on improving survivors of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and the opportunities that the forthcoming Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill (DVA Bill) presented in this regard.
Department of Health (2017) Domestic abuse: a resource for health professionals. This resource looks at how health professionals can support adults and young people over 16 who are experiencing domestic abuse, and dependent children in their households. It will help health staff to identify potential victims, initiate sensitive routine enquiry and respond effectively to disclosures of abuse.
Department of Health (2015) Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the armed forces community.
Information and guidance for those affected by or dealing with cases of domestic abuse in the armed forces community.
This guidance aims to increase knowledge within the field and support improved integration and partnership working with others who have an interest in preventing, working in and identifying domestic violence and abuse, and supporting those affected.
Home Office (2011) Call to end violence against women and girls: action plan 2011. This action plan provided an overview of the wide range of actions the government would take towards its strategy of ending violence against women and girls. (VAWG). It was launched on 8 March 2011.
Home Office (2010) Call to end violence against women and girls: strategic vision. This paper outlined the coalition government’s ambition and guiding principles to tackle violence against women and girls.
NICE Quality standard. Domestic violence and abuse (England and Wales). This quality standard covers domestic violence and abuse in adults and young people aged 16 years and over. It covers adults and young people who are experiencing (or have experienced) domestic violence or abuse, as well as adults and young people perpetrating domestic violence or abuse. It also covers children and young people under 16 years who are affected by domestic violence or abuse that is not directly perpetrated against them. This includes those taken into care.
NICE Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working (England and Wales). The recommendations cover the broad spectrum of domestic violence and abuse, including violence perpetrated on men, on those in same-sex relationships and on young people. The guidance is for health and social care commissioners, specialist domestic violence and abuse staff and others whose work may bring them into contact with people who experience or perpetrate domestic violence and abuse. In addition it may be of interest to members of the public.
Office for National Statistics (2016) Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2016. This bulletin includes details of crimes against adults, including domestic violence. Improvements in crime recording practices and processes by the police and, particularly for sexual offences and those related to domestic abuse, an increase in the willingness of victims to come forward and report, are thought to be the main drivers of this change.
See also: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) (2014) Everyone’s business: Improving the police response to domestic abuse. This report found significant weaknesses in the service provided to victims of domestic abuse, and made a series of recommendations aimed at helping forces to improve.
Royal College of General Practitioners (2019) Good practice safeguarding in general practice. This webpage includes a range of domestic violence resource, including guidance for general practitioners, commissioning guidance, counselling directory and e-Learning.
Northern Ireland
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Department of Justice (2016) Stopping domestic and sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland’s seven year strategy for tackling domestic and sexual violence and abuse. The vision is: To have a society in Northern Ireland in which domestic and sexual violence is not tolerated in any form, effective tailored preventative and responsive services are provided, all victims are supported, and perpetrators are held to account.
SafeLives Risk Identification Checklist. To help front line practitioners identify high risk cases of domestic abuse, stalking and ‘honour’- based violence. To decide which cases should be referred to MARAC and what other support might be required.
SafeLives Dash risk checklist. Quick start guidance. This checklist will help you to understand the significance of the questions on the checklist. Domestic abuse can take many forms but it is usually perpetrated by men towards women in an intimate relationship such as boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife. This checklist can also be used for lesbian, gay, bisexual relationships and for situations of ‘honour’-based violence or family violence.
Women’s Aid Northern Ireland. Domestic violence statistics for Northern Ireland.
Scotland
Citizen’s Advice Scotland. Information and advice for domestic abuse in Scotland.
Scottish Government. Key facts about violence against women
NHS Health Scotland (2019) Gender based Violence - Domestic abuse: What health workers need to know about gender-based violence
Scottish Government (2010) Tackling Violence Against Women: a review of key evidence and national priorities
Wales
Welsh Government policy information page: Violence against women and domestic abuse. This page provides information on the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 and supporting policies.
Welsh Government (2016) Consultation on National Strategy to tackle Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. A new National Strategy setting out how the Welsh Government will continue to tackle Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence has been published for consultation. The Strategy builds on collective progress to date between Welsh Government and relevant organisations, and prioritises delivery in the areas of prevention, protection, and provision of support.
Welsh Government (2014) Barriers faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in accessing domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, and sexual violence services. This research found that LGBT people who experience domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and sexual violence may face specific barriers to accessing services.
Welsh Government (2014) Building effective responses: An independent review of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Wales. This research aimed to inform the forthcoming Ending Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse (Wales) Bill, implementation of the legislation and future policy more generally.
Welsh Government (2013) Domestic abuse of disabled women in Wales. This research highlighted that national and local policies and practices lack appropriate measures to ensure disabled women receive the appropriate level of support at the right time.
Welsh Government (2012) Improving the way public services respond to prevent instances of domestic abuse - 10,000 Safer Lives. This project identified a set of 'minimum service standards' to help make a real difference to the quality of services experienced by victims of domestic abuse and provide confidence that the service they can expect will be of a certain standard.
Non UK
The Advocates for Human Rights. UN Treaties on Domestic Violence. Domestic violence is recognized in international law as a violation of human rights.
WHO Guidance (2013) Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women WHO clinical and policy guidelines.
Cavell Nurses' Trust
Further help can be found at the Cavell Nurses Trust.
The Cavell Nurses’ Trust charity supports UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering personal or financial hardship often due to illness, disability, older age, domestic abuse and the impact of the coronavirus.
Rapid reads for GPs and practice staff – recognising and acting on domestic abuse
Page last updated - 09/04/2023
