Information and Resources For Health Visitors and Healthcare Professionals

Domestic abuse

Even though much domestic abuse occurs within the privacy of personal relationships, it is far from being a private issue. Occurring in all parts of society, it accounts for 25 percent of violent crime and costs the taxpayer billions of pounds every year – £3.1 billion in England and Wales in 2004.

However, the greatest cost is to the women and children from all social backgrounds who deal with its effects on their lives on a day-to-day basis, even long after they have escaped abuse. Many cases of domestic abuse start during pregnancy.

Contained within this handbook is an action plan following recommendations by the Domestic Abuse and Pregnancy Advisory Group set up during 2005. The action plan includes information on how health services can meet the needs of pregnant women who may be experiencing abuse and has informed this handbook helping to shape future policy.

As well as covering work with women, the handbook covers the basic information that healthcare professionals will need to know to respond
effectively to children who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/