More than one in five of us in England and Wales has experienced domestic abuse. For a range of reasons, healthcare professionals may experience domestic abuse at especially high rates and face a number of profession-specific barriers to recognising abuse and getting support.
Healthcare workplaces generally offer no, or inadequate, support.
You may think you are the only doctor or HCP this has happened to, but you are not alone.
Specialist Support
Multiple specialist organisation exist to assist with specific types of abuse and are listed on the government website. We’ve listed the largest organisations with resources below:
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Women’s Aid
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Refuge
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Victim Support
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National Centre for Domestic Violence (emergency injunction service)
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The Freedom Programme
Financial Support
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Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
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The Domestic abuse fund for nurses and midwives
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The Cameron Fund (GPs)
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Cavell (nurses), nursing associates and midwives)
Post-Separation Abuse
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IDAS provide advice on PSA
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Post Separation Parenting Support Group
Bright Sky app
Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.
The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.
Hollie Guard app
Hollie Guard is a personal alarm, deterrent, evidence catcher and more
Clare’s Law
If you are concerned that a new, former or existing partner has an abusive past you can ask the police to check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as ‘Clare’s Law’). This is your ‘right to ask’. If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing the information.
A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.
If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone you know. More info here
Get a court order to protect you or your child
If you’re a victim of domestic abuse you can apply for a court order or injunction to protect yourself or your child from:
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your current or previous partner
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a family member
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someone you currently or previously lived with
This is called a non-molestation or occupation order.
Get a non-molestation or occupation order if you’ve been the victim of domestic abuse.
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces are safe, confidential rooms where victim-survivors can take some time to reflect, access information on specialist support services or call friends or family.
Helplines
If you want to access support over the phone, you can call:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge) (Please note wait times can be over an hour)
Aanchal Women’s Aid 0800 0124 924 (available English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali)
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123
Rights of Women advice lines, there are a range of services available
24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line 0808 500 2222
Surviving Economic Abuse Financial Support line 08081968845
Refuge4Pets – helping people and animals escape DA – for animal fostering while the survivor leaves 0300 4000 121 [email protected]
For those causing harm who want to stop
Respect phone line – if you are worried about your own or someone else’s behaviour 0808 802 4040
Talk, Listen, Change 0161 872 110 [email protected]
Locations specific, free, confidential support and advice is available to victim-survivors and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day
England: Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
Northern Ireland: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 1414
Scotland: Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline 0800 027 1234
Wales: Live Fear Free 0808 80 10 100
