RCGP Safeguarding toolkit

Summary of RCGP domestic abuse resources

GPs experience domestic abuse too

Research suggests that healthcare professionals may be more likely to experience domestic abuse than people in the general population. Recognising that GPs can also experience domestic abuse will help general practice play its part in working together with other agencies to improve safety, reduce mental health and financial harms caused by domestic abuse and improve support around work.

• The GPs experience domestic abuse too resource highlights the specific support-seeking barriers faced by GPs who are experiencing domestic abuse, how GP victim-survivors can be heard and supported by colleagues and employers and signposts to sources of support.  

Knowledge and competencies

• Knowledge and competencies around domestic abuse and all aspects of child and adult safeguarding are expected for all GPs and general practice staff. These can be found in the RCGP safeguarding standards for general practice. 
• Staff requiring level 3 safeguarding training have specific domestic abuse knowledge and competencies, as do practice managers – all can be found in the safeguarding standards. 

Guidance on identifying and responding to domestic abuse

• The RCGP Safeguarding toolkit has an extensive section on domestic abuse – Part 2B: Domestic abuse (covers child and adult).

Recording domestic abuse safely in the patient electronic medical record

• Guidance on recording domestic abuse information in the patient electronic medical record can be found in Part 4 of the RCGP Safeguarding toolkit: Documenting safeguarding concerns and information.
• RCGP guidance on recording of domestic abuse in the electronic medical record

Managing and mitigating risks related to online access to records

• Guidance on managing the risks victims of domestic abuse can face when using patient online access can be found in the RCGP GP online services toolkit: Clinical safety.

eLearning

• Domestic abuse and Women’s Health. This eLearning module considers how domestic abuse may present in the context of women’s health clinical presentations in general practice.

Need help and support for domestic abuse? Here are some national charities:

England

• Refuge. National Domestic Abuse Helpline.Freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247. 
• Women’s Aid. Homepage of Women's Aid. National charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. 
• Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. Homepage of Galop. Support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. 
• ManKind Initiative - Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse. Homepage of Mankind. 
• Karma Nirvana. Homepage of Karma Nirvana. Support for victims of Honour Based Abuse.

Northern Ireland

• nidirect. Northern Ireland domestic abuse helpline.24-hour helpline 0808 802 1414.
• Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland. Homepage of Women's Aid.
• MAPNI - Men’s Advisory Project. Homepage of MAPNI. Provides counselling services for men experiencing domestic abuse.

Scotland

• Scottish Women’s Aid. Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Helpline.24-hour helpline 0800 027 1234. 
• Homepage of Scottish Women’s Aid.
• Safer Scotland. Where to get support for domestic abuse (includes links for support for men, LGBT community and other groups). 

Wales

• Welsh government. Live Fear Free Helpline.24-hour helpline 0808 80 10 800.
• Welsh Women’s Aid. Find your local service.
• Dyn Project - Supporting men affected by domestic abuse in Wales. Help for men.