eading to uncertainty and resulting in missed opportunities to support victims and their children”.
The authors describe the development of an evidence-based training intervention on domestic violence and child safeguarding for general practice teams, called RESPONDS (Researching Education to Strengthen Primary care ON Domestic violence and Safeguarding). This training was developed to encourage general practice clinicians to overcome barriers and engage more extensively with adults experiencing abuse, as well as responding directly to the needs of children.
The mixed-method paper reports key research findings and their implications for practice and policy. If adopted, the authors’ recommendations could lead to greater support for children via more relevant training and support for the GPs and nurses assigned to them.
Nicky Stanley, Professor of Social Work at UCLan, noted:
"The research found that GPs were more ready to engage with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence than to talk directly to children or young people about this issue. They need to improve their confidence and skills in relation to this, since children are also their patients."
Dr Szilassy and colleagues argue that clinicians need more focused training to equip them with the skills and confidence to respond safely and effectively to adult victims and perpetrators, and vitally, in talking directly with children experiencing domestic violence. They recommend that such training is reinforced by supportive practice environments, improved systems of interagency collaboration, appropriate and effective documenting and improved information-sharing systems and policies.
The authors hope that the development and piloting of their evidence-based training will be a crucial first step towards strengthening the response to all family members experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence and their children.
Making the links between domestic violence and child safeguarding: An evidence-based pilot training for general practice. Health and Social Care in the Community, by Eszter Szilassy et al. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12401