Regionally consistent guidance has been published to assist health visitors, school nurses, midwives and family nurses to identify and
respond to incidents of domestic abuse.
Routine Enquiry (RE) involves asking all women about domestic abuse, regardless of any indicators, and has been offered in pregnancy and postnatally by healthcare practitioners since 2006. It aims to identify women with experience of domestic violence and abuse, so they can be offered supportive interventions, including information, safety planning and referral.
The RE into Domestic Abuse Guidance follows 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.
Interim director of nursing at the PHA Emily Roberts said: ‘[Domestic abuse] 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, HVs and nurses with the understanding, awareness and training to ask the right questions and respond appropriately, to help address domestic abuse.’
Image | ISTOCK
