Staff want training to deal with abuse

More than one quarter of nursing staff say they lack confidence in supporting domestic abuse victims, an RCNi survey reveals.
Of 1,455 UK nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and nursing students surveyed, only 38% have received training in the past year in how to treat victims of domestic abuse and refer them for support.
Most of the 898 respondents, including older people’s nurses, had not received training recently. Yet 29% of nursing staff regularly encounter patients who have experienced domestic abuse.
Training course content included how to identify domestic abuse, escalate situations by informing safeguarding teams and recognise abuse among older people.

Widespread problem

RCN professional lead for midwifery and women’s health Carmel Bagness said staff training is vital to address the assumption that victims are ‘battered housewives’. Anyone can be a victim, whether young or old, male or female, heterosexual or homosexual, she said.
‘Domestic abuse does not get attention because it is hidden,’ she added.

Family members

Nurses can be victims too, the survey highlights. More than four in ten nursing staff have been hit, shoved or pushed by partners or family members, while 51% said partners or family members had been verbally abusive towards them.
One band 6 older people’s nurse said: ‘I have experienced physical and mental abuse in childhood, and in my marriage. I feel confident in recognising the signs of abuse, and would reach out and help anyone who wants either to be referred or have someone to talk to.’