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

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 joint study of its kind, the Univeristy of the West of England worked with the British Association for 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: Sixty-two 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.