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Domestic violence and abuse – guidance for professionals

Live Fear Free: 0808 80 10 800

info@livefearfreehelpline.wales

Childline: 0800 1111.

Guidance for practitioners

Dr Sarah Wallace, a Senior Research Fellow at the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care at the University of South Wales who's experience of undertaking research with domestic abuse organisations and has previously worked in the third sector providing support for women and men experiencing domestic violence and abuse shares some guidance for practitioners to recognise and respond to DVA.

DVA is serious health and social care issue. Anyone can experience DVA regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, economic status or background.

To ensure individuals are safely supported, we have identified some resources for professionals.

  • A ‘Recognising and responding to domestic violence and abuse - quick guide for social workers’ produced by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The guidance includes advice about asking someone about DVA, responding to a disclosure, and specialist services. This version has been updated to reflect the Welsh context.
  • SafeLives, a UK wide domestic abuse charity, have developed the second resource ‘Getting it right first time’. Aimed at professionals who do not work in DVA services, it includes three steps ‘identify, ask, and act’ to help if you suspect someone you are working with or supporting is experiencing DVA.

Some organisations may have their own DVA work policies to support staff. Other resources that may help employers and colleagues safely respond to DVA in the workplace:

Help and advice

If you or someone you know is suffering physical or emotional abuse at the hands of a partner the Live Fear Free helpline is available 24 hours a day – call free on 0808 8010 800 any time, if you can do it safely. You can also text 0786 007 7333, email at info@livefearfree.wales or webchat

If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999 followed by 55 to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.

Contact us

If you have a question or if you can't find what you are looking for get in touch with us.

First published: 9 April 2020
Last updated: 4 January 2023
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