New guidance to help nurses identify domestic abuse

New guidance has been published to help nurses, health visitors and midwives identify and respond to incidents of domestic abuse.

The Routine Enquiry into Domestic Abuse Guidance was jointly launched on 8 March by both health minister Mike Nesbitt and justice minister Naomi Long.

The Routine Enquiry (RE) involves asking all women about domestic abuse, regardless of the presence of any indicators, and has been offered in pregnancy and postnatally by healthcare practitioners since 2006.

It’s aims is to identify women with experience of domestic violence and abuse so they can be offered supportive interventions including information, safety planning and referral.

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Guidance was put together following a Public Health Agency (PHA)-led review aimed at ‘strengthening and broadening’ the RE process. The review included a service evaluation and engagement with survivors of domestic abuse, facilitated and supported by organisations including Women’s Aid, the Rowan Centre and the Department of Health.

The guidance document provides a ‘consistent approach’ when enquiring and responding to suspicion of domestic abuse as well as advice on reducing the impact of domestic abuse for those experiencing it, including children, through early identification and appropriate intervention.

It is hoped it will also increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of nurses and midwives to identify and manage issues relating to domestic abuse and to support and assist survivors to make informed choices about their well-being and safety.

Emily Roberts, interim director of nursing at the PHA, said: ‘Domestic abuse has a damaging and lasting impact on the lives of adults, children and young people right across Northern Ireland.

‘It is prevalent in every community and can affect people of all ages, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or religion.

‘This guidance will help equip organisations, midwives, health visitors and family nurses with the understanding, awareness and training to ask the right questions and respond appropriately to help address domestic abuse.’

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said that a ‘key deliverable’ from the new guidance is that domestic and/or sexual abuse is identified and responded to earlier.

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‘This guidance document aligns with that commitment as it aims to improve and standardise care provided to families who may be experiencing domestic abuse through early identification and intervention,’ he said.

Justice minister Naomi Long added: ‘I wholeheartedly welcome the publication of this guidance for nurses.

‘The nature of domestic abuse requires a unique approach, as it is associated with fear and control, and I recognise the important role that nurses, midwives and other health and social care professionals, as first responders, can play in identifying abuse and supporting victims.

‘Opportunities for victims to safely share information on what they are experiencing can open a door to help and to justice.

‘This guidance will support the nursing profession by providing the information needed to help them respond appropriately and bring more victims into safety.

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‘We must all work to ensure that when anyone comes forward to report abuse they receive the right response; have access to guidance, protection and support; and are clear about their options.

‘I am delighted that this guidance has been developed through collaboration including by listening to victims about their experiences.’