Domestic Abuse Emerges as Public Health Crisis, NHS Report Reveals

A recent report has surfaced, declaring domestic abuse a public health emergency, following critical findings regarding the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales. The analysis conducted by the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (Stada) highlights that the NHS is failing victims by not adequately training staff to recognize and respond to signs of domestic violence. This urgent call to action arrives as the Office for National Statistics reports that approximately 21.6% of individuals aged 16 and over in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse, impacting an estimated 12.6 million people.

The report emphasizes that the NHS, which has more interactions with victims and perpetrators than any other public service, is missing crucial opportunities to intervene effectively. In examining official reviews of domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides published in 2024, Stada found that nearly 90% identified safeguarding shortcomings linked to the NHS. A recurrent criticism was the lack of comprehensive domestic abuse training, a finding echoed by multiple sources including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises mandatory training for frontline NHS staff.

Cherryl Henry-Leach, Chief Executive of Stada, asserted, "We call on the government to recognize domestic abuse as a public health issue. Treating domestic abuse solely as a criminal justice issue costs lives." The report also noted persistent failures in risk recording, information sharing, and connecting victims with necessary specialist support, including mental health services and independent domestic violence advisers.

The implications of these findings are underscored by a separate study published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe, which reported that 26% of women who died by suicide and were known to secondary mental health services had previously experienced domestic violence. This alarming statistic calls for immediate action, especially as the government prepares to unveil its strategy aimed at halving violence against women and girls by 2034.

Tim Woodhouse, a suicide prevention specialist and author of the Churchill Fellowship report on suicide and domestic violence, echoed the urgency of the situation: "Domestic abuse is a public health emergency. The physical and mental anguish inflicted on victims can be immense, leading to tragic outcomes, including suicide. My calculations suggest that approximately 1,800 individuals may die annually from domestic abuse-related suicides, a staggering loss that warrants serious attention."

Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, emphasized the crucial role healthcare workers play as the first point of contact for abuse victims. "It is essential they are equipped to identify, signpost, and safeguard victims who need support. The consequences of inaction can be severe, potentially resulting in death. The government must heed repeated recommendations from domestic homicide reviews to ensure comprehensive training for all health professionals."

Prof. Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, expressed concern about missed opportunities to assist victims, stating that while increased training would be beneficial, it must be adequately funded and consider the existing training and workload pressures faced by general practitioners.

An NHS spokesperson affirmed that all NHS staff are required to complete safeguarding training focused on domestic violence and abuse, with ongoing updates to the training modules.

In response to the report's findings, a government spokesperson reiterated its commitment to addressing domestic abuse, highlighting that healthcare professionals are often the first lifeline for victims. They also mentioned a significant funding allocation for 345,000 additional NHS talking therapies interventions aimed at supporting survivors.

As this public health emergency continues to unfold, experts advocate for immediate reforms in training and policy to protect vulnerable individuals and address the systemic failings within the NHS. The upcoming government strategy will be critical in determining the future landscape of support for victims of domestic abuse.

For those in need, support services are available. In the UK, individuals can reach out to the national domestic abuse helpline at 0808 2000 247, while in the US, the hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is available at 1800 737 732.