Sexual and domestic violence enquiry: A national exploratory survey of asking and telling in sexual health services in the UK

Meyrick, Jane; Bennett, Amy; McGovern, Kyle; Kite, Charlotte

Abstract

Background
Gender-based violence in the form of domestic and sexual abuse represent a worldwide public health and civil rights issue. Healthcare and sexual health have a central role to play in prevention, particularly in the identification of sexual and domestic violence/abuse within a frontline service in which it often presents. Survivors of sexual violence and abuse commonly pass through sexual health services without being asked about their victimisation. Healthcare should be able to identify survivors, provide first line support, refer to specialist services and link to comprehensive post assault care.
Methods
In the first study of its kind, with the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and their Sexual Violence Specialist Interest Group (SVSIG) we report the findings of a snapshot, non-probability, exploratory survey of current comparative sexual and domestic violence/abuse enquiry practice in Genito Urinary Medicine services across the UK.
Results
62 responding services evidenced variable practice around asking, collating data, referral, training and staff supervision.
Conclusions
This benchmarking study of practice in the UK sets a bar against which all services can measure and improve current practice on gender-based violence identification, a crucial role of sexual health services in reducing the inequalities driven harm of undisclosed trauma.  

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 10, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of STDs & AIDS
• Print ISSN: 0956-4624
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-1052
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12876390
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/std