Thousands of pregnant women in England are reporting domestic abuse. Midwives are struggling to cope
Summary
Around 20,000 pregnant women in England speak to maternity services each year about domestic abuse. Midwives often find out about this abuse because they see pregnant women regularly, but they need more training and support to help these women properly.Key Facts
- About 3.3% of maternity bookings in NHS trusts in England include a report of current or past domestic abuse.
- This equals roughly 20,000 disclosures of domestic abuse during pregnancy per year in England.
- Midwives often see pregnant women alone, which gives them a unique chance to notice and respond to signs of abuse.
- Experts say midwives need better training to respond correctly to abuse disclosures.
- Maternity wards are busy and sometimes short-staffed, which makes it harder for midwives to provide support.
- The NHS mandates safeguarding training for maternity staff, including how to ask about abuse.
- Midwives can refer women to specialized services for help with housing, legal advice, and other support.
- The pregnancy and early time after birth are seen as a critical chance to help women and babies affected by abuse.
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