Senior nursing and midwifery figures at NHS England have signed a letter urging belief employees to assist ladies search therapy for sexual violence and abuse, within the wake of Sarah Everard’s homicide.
The variety of folks searching for help at NHS Sexual Assault Referral Clinics (SARCs) halved after the primary lockdown, regardless of official figures exhibiting that home violence and sexual assault had elevated.
“All organisations have a task to play in stopping violence in opposition to ladies, together with the NHS”
Kate Davies
With the devastating affect of male violence in opposition to ladies again within the information, NHS England stated it was eager to encourage ladies that the well being service was there to help them.
In an announcement, the physique stated: “Following the demise of Sarah Everard and the outpouring from ladies sharing their experiences of assault and harassment… the NHS is asking for anybody who wants help to return ahead.”
The letter, titled Women’s safety and domestic abuse during Covid-19: a reminder of advice for NHS staff, is addressed to belief chief executives, chief nurses and chief midwives, regional chief nurses, GP leads and others.
It’s signed by NHS psychological well being director Claire Murdoch, who’s a nurse, chief nursing officer for England Ruth Might, chief midwifery officer Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, and deputy chief nursing officer Hillary Garrett.
The letter begins: “In the previous few weeks, many ladies are rightly coming ahead to talk about the experiences they face of harassment, intimidation, assault and abuse.
“We’re writing to you to remind you of the important thing indicators of home abuse and the providers which can be accessible for ladies,” it stated.
“Though these providers are usually not solely there for or simply wanted by ladies, they’re important in supporting ladies who’re in these distressing and generally harmful conditions.
“Our message to ladies right now is easy – the NHS is right here for you,” it said.
The letter particulars the indicators of home abuse that employees ought to look out for, offers particulars of how the general public can entry help, and supplies particulars of helplines and on-line assets.
“Our message to ladies right now is easy – the NHS is right here for you”
NHS England letter
It famous that home violence, additionally known as home abuse, included bodily, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between relations, and will occur in opposition to anybody, whereas anyone may very well be an abuser.
It said that examples of home abuse may embrace coercive management and ‘gaslighting’, financial abuse, on-line abuse, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.
The letter ends with a reminder to NHS employers of their tasks to employees, stating: “It is very important do not forget that home abuse and home violence don’t simply have an effect on sufferers.
“As an employer, NHS organisations have a authorized obligation to evaluate any danger and help the well being and security and wellness of their workers,” it stated.
SARCs supply individuals who have been raped or assaulted a spread of assist together with medical examinations, emergency contraception, emotional help and being pregnant testing.
They’re staffed by specifically educated medical doctors and nurses, and sufferers don’t have to report a criminal offense to the police until they want to take action.
In July 2019, round 2,500 sufferers accessed SARC providers however that quantity dropped to 1,250 in the identical month in 2020.
Whereas these figures have elevated since final July, they’re nonetheless not at pre-pandemic ranges, NHS England stated.
In the meantime, the variety of folks on the lookout for assist on-line for home abuse throughout lockdown has elevated by greater than 350% in comparison with the earlier 12 months.
Claire Murdoch
Ms Murdoch, NHS England’s nationwide director for psychological well being, stated: “All through this pandemic, NHS providers have been there for many who want them, together with the victims of violence and sexual abuse.
“If anybody has skilled home abuse or sexual assault, it’s necessary for them to know {that a} vary of providers, together with psychological well being help, is on the market for you.”
Kate Davies, NHS director of sexual assault providers commissioning, stated now was a “key second” within the battle in opposition to home abuse and sexual assault:
“All organisations have a task to play in stopping violence in opposition to ladies, together with the NHS, which is why right this moment, myself and different senior NHS employees have written to all regional administrators and results in remind them of recommendation to NHS employees and spot indicators of home abuse and the providers which can be accessible to assist ladies and forestall additional hurt.”
