Domestic abuse is an issue that affects CSP members both as members of staff and in their clinical roles
Domestic abuse affects people regardless of their race, class, religion or other characteristics. It is a health care issue that impacts on all ages from children through to the elderly, and its effects can last a lifetime. The impact of domestic abuse on health is substantial both in terms of physical injuries and psychological wellbeing.
Health professionals are in a unique and important position to identify domestic violence and to offer support and signposting. This page identifies guidance and resources for CSP members and also for stewards who may be negotiating policies on this issue.
See the Frontline feature: Tackling abuse: physiotherapy and domestic violence
Role of the CSP rep
Reps may also find it helpful to refer to the following resources when raising issues or negotiating policies at JNCC level, or when dealing with individual members who are experiencing domestic violence and requesting support in the workplace. The key is putting a policy into place and having staff educated and alerted to these types of issues so they can best support colleagues.
Resources for CSP reps
- CSP Equality and Diversity Toolkit - information and guidance on equality legislation.
- NHS Employers online resources - includes guidance to trusts on developing a workplace policy for dealing with issues arising from domestic violence.
- Domestic Violence London - a resource for health professionals (NHS Barking & Dagenham 2014).
- Example of recently negotiated Trust policy: Domestic Abuse – support for staff (Addenbrookes NHS Trust policy).
General resources
- 'Domestic violence and abuse: how health services, social care and the organisations they work with can respond effectively' (NICE, February 2014. Recommendations 6 (pages 12-13) and 8 (pages 14-15) relate to frontline physiotherapists) - access Nice guidance PH50
- 'Three Steps to escaping violence against women and girls - A guide for black and minority ethnic women and children' (Home Office & Southall Black Sisters, 2012) includes helplines: Download as a PDF file
- Responding to violence against women and children – the role of the NHS: The report of the Taskforce on the Health Aspects of Violence against Women and Children, March 2010.
- Improving services for women and child victims of violence: the Department of Health Action Plan 2010 Download as a PDF file
- TUC survey report on domestic violence and the workplace
- TUC blog on domestic violence
- Woman's Hour discussion on impact of domestic violence in the workplace (includes interview with TUC Head of Equality and Employment Rights Sarah Veale)
Domestic violence helplines
- UK Women’s Aid free 24-hour helpline, 0808 2000 247 or email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
- List of helplines for all four countries - see: www.gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse