This section is divided into two parts – the first is resources for NHS organisations to assist staff members who are experiencing domestic abuse. The second is aimed at clinical staff providing resources to help them dealing with patients and/or colleagues who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Help for staff members experiencing Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse impacts all aspects of an individuals life, including their work, and healthcare professionals in particular face unique barriers around seeking help. All NHS staff working in the UK should have support available to them at work. In 2023 NHS England joined the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse pledging to change workplace cultures around DA. Key recommendations are that NHS employers should have:
- a domestic abuse policy for staff as well as patients
- a trained designated point of contact for DA
Hestia’s Respond to Abuse Advice Line is a free resource for employers. Employers can call 020 3879 3695 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email adviceline.eb@hestia.org for support, guidance or information about domestic abuse and how to support employees and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse website provides resources to support employers including an employers’ toolkit.
Support someone you know
If you are worried that a friend, neighbour or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
Domestic abuse advisers will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and advice on the options available to you helping you to keep safe and make informed choices. #YouAreNotalone
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should always call 999.
If someone confides in you, there is more information on how to support a friend or colleague who is being abused.
Further guidance
- BMA report (2024) Domestic abuse in the health profession report
- Employers’ initiative on domestic abuse
- NHS Employers (2022) Supporting NHS staff with domestic violence and abuse (for organisations developing DA policy)
- A guide to meaningful survivor engagement – Women’s Aid
- White Ribbon training resources
Domestic abuse resources for clinical staff
- For Doctors
- IRISi interventions provides specialist domestic violence and abuse training for General Practices and sexual health clinicians
- Medical Women’s International Association Interactive Violence Manual
- BMA Board of Science (2024) Domestic Abuse report
- RCGP Safeguarding Toolkit
- RCGP guidance on documenting DA in the electronic clinical record (2021)
- For Nurses
- General Resources and clinical guidance
- Safe Lives resources for professionals
- Red Whale pearl: Domestic abuse
- elfh Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) learning
- Cancer and domestic abuse: a toolkit for professionals
- Standing together against domestic abuse
- Guidelines for clinical management of non-fatal strangulation in acute and emergency care services