Domestic abuse is ‘public health emergency’, experts say after critical NHS report | Domestic violence

Experts claimed that home abuse is a general health emergency, after a report concluded that NHS Victims fail by not training employees to discover and respond to the signs of domestic violence.

on One in four people (21.6 %) in England and Wales, between the ages of 16 or more, have witnessed domestic illness, affecting 12.6 million people, according to the latest numbers received from the National Statistics Office.

The analysis shows that NHS has More contact with victims and perpetrators From any other public service.

but New search Through the charitable institution that stands together against home abuse (Stada), it claims that health service lacks vital opportunities to save lives. I studied all the official reviews of the killings and suicides related to the household abuse published in 2024 and found that about 90 % were martyred with protection by NHS.

Lack of home abuse training was the most common criticism. National Institute for Excellence in the field of care and care guidance Complete training for NHS employees on the front lines is recommended in determining and attention to the victims of home abuse. But Stada’s analysis found that such a training was “intermittent and inconsistent.”

The report also highlights the frequent failures of NHS to record risks, exchange information, and obtain victims from other specialists such as mental health services and independent consultants of violence.

Results track a A separate study It was published in the regional Lancet in Europe, which calculated that 26 % of all women who died due to suicide, and were known for secondary mental health services, is a victim of home violence.

The government is scheduled to publish its strategy this summer on how to meet its pledge To half of violence against women and girls By 2034.

But without an urgent procedure, this ambition will not be achieved, and the STADA report is concluded. NHS must finance mandatory and unified training to assault domestic for health professionals in the front lines and specialized support such as home health violence advisers, recommends study. Data registration and information sharing should also be improved.

“We call on the government to recognize home abuse as a public health issue,” said Cherlyl Henry-Leach, CEO of Stada.

“treatment [domestic abuse] Only as the issue of criminal justice costs life. NHS has more contact with victims and perpetrators more than any other public service, which makes it unique to address this crisis. “

Tim Woodhaus, a suicide prevention specialist and author of the book ” Churchill Fellowship report When suicide and domestic violence, he said: “Home abuse is a general healthy emergency. The level of physical and mental pain imposed on the victims (and their children) by the perpetrators is enormous and we know that for many, mental torture becomes very large and ends up taking their private lives.

“I have calculated that 1,800 people can die in suicide cases related to home abuse every year. This is a tragic lifestyle, and a national scandal.”

Andrea Simon, director of the final violence against the Women’s Alliance, said: “Often health care workers are the first, and only, a point of contact with the victims of abuse, and it is necessary to be equipped to determine, a mark, and support victims who need a local review, and all this report shows that there are consequences for recycling, including death.

“It is interesting to hear that opportunities to help victims may be missed,” said Professor Camilla Huthurn, Head of the Royal GPS (GPS), given the reliable relationships with patients with patients.

She added: “As long as more training and value is funded,” as long as it is appropriately funded, it takes into account the current training that GPS receives on protection and the pressure of the work burden that we face daily. “

A NHS spokesman said: “All NHS employees must complete the training to protect domestic violence and abuse to give them the skills and knowledge they need to support victims and survivors, and this training is currently updated.”

A government spokesman said: “We are still firm in our mission to address home abuse and put a system that protects the victims, supports their journey to justice and keeps the perpetrators,” a government spokesman said.

“Often healthcare professionals are the first lifestyle for home abuse victims – play a vital role in their support to overcome shocks and rebuild their lives – we have given funding for additional interventions of 345,000 NHS treatments to ensure survivors get the support they need.

“Through our plan for change, we are developing a coordinated approach throughout the government, supported by a new strategy to publish it later this year, to prevent home abuse and protect victims.”