Ending violence against women and children

One in four women in South London have been affected by domestic violence and more suffer rape or attempted rape than have a stroke each year, according to a campaign being rolled out across the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM) this week.

SLaM - a mental health Trust - has signed up to the Ending violence against women and children campaign not least because domestic violence is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.  For example, women experiencing domestic abuse are at least three times more likely to develop a serious mental health condition than others and 15 times more likely to misuse alcohol.

Dr Emily Finch, Clinical Director for Addictions, SLaM, said:" Many women who attend our addictions service have been abused over many years, sometimes starting when they were children.  It's absolutely vital that women don't suffer in silence and get help as soon as they possibly can."

"Often women blame themselves and think that they are the only ones suffering in this way.  The unfortunate truth is that they will not be the only ones.  Violence against women and children is all too common and we need to get the message out that women do not have to tolerate any form of violence or abuse."

While the campaign aims to inform the public and patients about where they can get help if they experience domestic abuse, staff at SLaM are a key audience as they are likely to come in contact with women who have been abused.   Staff may be the only people that an abused woman talks to or, if trained and aware of the signs of domestic abuse, are in a unique position to offer vital help and support.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for our staff to recognise and help patients who have experienced domestic abuse.  We're developing our existing staff training so as many staff as possible can recognise the signs and know how to help someone who has suffered domestic violence; said Louise Howard, Professor in Women's Mental Health at King's College London and Consultant Psychiatrist at SLaM.

Violence against women and children takes many forms including: domestic violence; rape and sexual violence or harassment; female genital mutilation; forced marriage; crimes in the name of honour; human trafficking and child sexual abuse.

The campaign starts on 25 November and runs for 16 days.

What to do

The violence and abuse pages on NHS Choices contain useful information on how to get help (www.nhs.uk/violence).  You can also contact:

• a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery
• free, 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day of the year)
• a hospital accident and emergency department
• NHS Direct (0845 4647)
• the police or in an emergency, dial 999

Some basic steps to take to support if anyone who confides in you that they're suffering domestic abuse.

• Listen to her, take care not to blame her. Tell her that there are many women like her in the same situation.
• Acknowledge that it takes strength to talk to someone about experiencing abuse. Give her time to talk, but don't push her if she doesn't want to talk.
• Acknowledge that she is in a frightening and difficult situation.
• Support her as a friend. Encourage her to express her feelings, and allow her to make her own decisions.
• Don't tell her to leave the relationship if she isn't ready. That's her decision.
• Ask if she has suffered physical harm. If so, offer to go with her to a hospital or GP.
• Help her to report the assault to the police if she chooses to.