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Domestic Abuse

Nurses, Midwives and Healthcare Support Workers are three times more likely to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year than the average person (14% compared with 4.4% nationally) according to research for Cavell Nurses Trust in 2016.

Recognising the signs

  • Is your partner jealous and possessive?
  • Do they tell you that you couldn’t cope without them?
  • Are you anxious about making them angry?
  • Do they monitor your movements or your phone?
  • Do they prevent you from seeing your family or friends? Do you feel alone?
  • Do they repeatedly criticize you?
  • Do they belittle you, often in front of family and friends?
  • Do they make you question your own judgment?
  • Do they control your money?
  • Do they tell you what to wear?
  • Do they pressure you to have sex?
  • Do they hurt you physically? 
  • Has your partner ever threatened you, or intimidated you by using violent language or smashing up the furniture?
  • Do you worry about your partner’s reactions?
  • Do they say you deserved the abuse?

If any of these behaviours feel familiar, you might want to consider seeking further information and support.

Seeking Support

If you are concerned about your partner’s behaviour towards you you can contact the RCN's Counselling Service to talk things through with someone.  We can help you to think through your situation and support you if you wish to seek further specialist support or take action to change your situation.  We will listen without judgement.  

You can also seek support from organisations such as:

Counselling

Get support with personal or work related issues such as stress, depression or relationship breakdown.

Domestic abuse general resources and support

This page provides a selection of useful links to websites and organisations providing relevant information and support to victims of domestic abuse. Unless specified these resources are applicable across the UK.

Domestic Abuse: How to get help (GOV.UK)

Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.

Guidance for Nurses and Midwives to support those affected by Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a significant safeguarding issue in all societies and is a challenge for everyone. This guidance has been reviewed and updated in response to the recognition by the RCN of the need for nurses, midwives and health care support workers and all health care professionals to have an understanding of the impact of the domestic abuse of patients, clients and colleagues.
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The logo for Women's Aid

Women's Aid

There are four main Women's Aid Federations, one for each of the countries of the UK. Its aim is to end domestic violence against women and children.

The logo for Respect charity

Respect

Respect is a UK charity providing services for male and female perpetrators of domestic violence, for male victims of domestic violence, and for young people.

samaritans

Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, The Samaritans can offer emotional support over the phone, any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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