This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New guidance on domestic abuse
10/03/2003
New guidance to help the NHS respond appropriately to victims of domestic abuse has been published today.
The guidance, Responding to Domestic Abuse: Guidelines for Health Care Workers in NHSScotland, has been prepared with help from a short-life working group which included a wide range of health professionals and other interests.
It provides health care workers with:
- An overview of domestic abuse in Scotland
- Information about the health effects of domestic abuse and potential signs and indicators of domestic abuse
- Practical advice about how to approach the difficult task of talking about abuse
- Identifies what should be in place to help health care workers respond effectively to anyone experiencing domestic abuse
- Highlights good practice for professionals to help them inform and support women
The guidelines also include information for NHS organisations about dealing with domestic abuse as employers. It outlines their responsibilities to respond sensitively and sympathetically to staff experiencing abuse.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"The Executive is strongly committed to raising awareness amongst professionals and the public about domestic abuse. We are improving information about the scale and the nature of the problem and ensuring women and children get the protection and support they need, when they need it.
"NHSScotland is in a unique position to contribute to helping people who suffer violence get support. Virtually every woman in Britain will use the health care system at some point in her life.
"Any health care professional may have the opportunity to identify someone experiencing domestic abuse and to empower women to get help and support. In fact, health services may often be a women's only contact with professionals who might recognise the signs of domestic abuse and intervene.
"The health service therefore has a vital role in identifying, assessing and responding to domestic violence. I believe these guidelines will be an invaluable tool. I am delighted that the National Group on Tackling Domestic Abuse, which my colleague, Margaret Curran, chairs, has endorsed these guidelines and will support their implementation.
"We now look to NHS Boards to consider the guidelines carefully and take the necessary steps to implement them locally."
The guidelines also lists sources of information and support for individuals, including contact details for other agencies and bodies which play a role in responding to domestic abuse.
The guidance builds on guidelines available from the Royal Colleges (medical and nursing), professional organisations and other sources. It takes account of recent research and policy documents from the World Health organisation (WHO), the United Nations, governments across the world, women's organisations and other supporting charities.
Statistics show that in 2001 there were 700 incidents per 100,000 population in Scotland. More than 350 people experienced serious assault and 13 people were murdered by their partners in the same year.
Today, Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran will give the keynote address to a seminar on The National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. It is the third annual seminar held to reflect on the progress made in implementing the National Strategy.