Safeguarding practice guidance: domestic abuse
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines Domestic Abuse as:
A person is considered to be abusing another person if:
- they are both aged 16 or over, and
- they are "personally connected", and
- the behaviour is abusive
Abusive behaviour includes:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse (for example: controlling someone's access to money or resources)
- psychological, emotional or other abuse
The Act also recognises that children who see, hear, or experience the effects of domestic abuse are considered victims in their own right.
Adult Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse
A guide to support those who work with people who have care and support needs, whose circumstances make them vulnerable, and who may also be victims of domestic abuse. Its purpose is to help staff to give better informed and more effective support to people who need an adult safeguarding service because of domestic abuse: Guide to Support Practitioners and Managers.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), there are an estimated 130 million women and girls living with FGM worldwide. Most of these women are located in 29 African countries. In the UK, FGM is increasingly identified amongst migrants from FGM-practising countries. There are an estimated 137,000 women in the UK affected by FGM.
Health professionals have a statutory duty to safeguard their patients and should be familiar with the FGM Risk and Safeguarding Guidance for Professionals (Department of Health, May 2016 - updated January 2017) when caring for patients with FGM.
