Twenty thousand abuse disclosures yearly

About twenty thousand women a year tell midwives in English maternity services they are domestic violence victims, analysis by the For Baby's Sake Trust found.

Figures likely underestimate true scale

The estimate is based on three point three percent of maternity bookings involving a disclosure of current or non-recent domestic abuse across seventy four NHS trusts.

Midwives uniquely placed to spot abuse

Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said midwives are often the only professional a pregnant woman sees regularly and alone.

“Midwives are often the only professional a pregnant woman sees regularly and alone, which makes them uniquely placed to spot the signs of domestic abuse and respond with care.”

Staff need training and resources

Walton said recognising a disclosure is only the first step. Staff need proper specialist training and services need time and resources to follow through with support.

“Recognising a disclosure is only the first step, staff need proper, specialist training to know how to respond and services need the time and resources to follow through with support.”

Midwives face pressure on busy wards

Veronica Oakeshott, interim head of external affairs at Women's Aid, said maternity staff face immense pressure working on busy wards and need adequate support and training.

“They're already facing immense pressure working on busy maternity wards, so it's essential that they receive adequate support and training on how to handle these disclosures moving forward.”

Critical window to intervene in pregnancy

Judith Rees, chief operating officer at For Baby's Sake Trust, said pregnancy and the early postnatal period give a critical window to intervene and improve outcomes for parents and babies.

“Pregnancy and the early postnatal period give us a critical window to intervene, and when we get that response right, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for parents and babies.”