Scottish Government

RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE
GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN NHSSCOTLAND

HEALTH DEPARTMENT MARCH 2003

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements
Ministerial Foreword
SUMMARY
PART 1: AN OVERVIEW OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
INTRODUCTION
Aims of the guidance
Domestic abuse in Scotland - what does it mean?
Definition of domestic abuse
Forms of abuse
National policy framework
Awareness raising
The national group to address Domestic Abuse in Scotland
The role of the health service
Effective inter-agency working
The police
The legal profession
The local authority
Perpetrators' programmes
The voluntary sector
PART 2: IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING DOMESTIC ABUSE - THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKER
Barriers to accessing health service provision
Providing the right environment
Recognising the signs
Physical and emotional indicators
Behavioural indicators
Indicators related to pregnancy
Introducing the subject
Challenging fears and concerns
Asking questions
Perpetrators as patients
Responding effectively
Documenting and recording abuse, confidentiality and sharing information with others
Safety assessments
A decision to leave
A decision to stay
Referral to other specialist services
PART 3: PROTECTING CHILDREN
PART 4: PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Planning
Service provision
Staff development
Staff support
A template for local guidance
Education and training
Employers responsibility for staff and the development of an employee policy
PART 5: SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
FURTHER READING
ANNEX A: DOMESTIC ABUSE HEALTH GUIDANCE SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP
ANNEX B: CHECKLIST FOR NEGOTIATING A WORKPLACE POLICY ON DOMESTIC ABUSE
ANNEX C: QUESTIONS TO ASK
ANNEX D: LOCAL INFORMATION