Published January 2023

Perinatal clinical experts, health practitioners, Violence Against Women and Girls
(VAWG) specialist organisations and academics have for many years identified and
explored issues around domestic abuse. There are examples of exemplary research
and practice supporting and safeguarding women, babies and families across the UK
and there has been a positive shift towards greater recognition of domestic abuse and
its impact on mental health over recent years.
However, it is also widely recognised that this is nowhere near as embedded in
services across the perinatal pathway as we might expect, given the prevalence and
impact of domestic abuse on new and expectant mothers and babies. Likewise, domestic abuse does not feature as prominently as we might expect in many health
policies including perinatal mental health. The NHS England Long Term Plan for Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) places new emphasis on support for partners and fathers with no reference to domestic abuse at all, despite the prevalence which is
likely to be under-estimated. Whereas the Scotland Parent and Infant Mental Health Programme Board delivery plan refers directly to expectations to respond to domestic
abuse and trauma. The need to raise awareness and improve our responses in perinatal mental health for women experiencing domestic abuse is becoming ever more urgent. (From the briefing). Record #8333