Whole Health London: the importance of the survivor voice

Domestic abuse has a profound impact on physical and mental health, so it’s vital that health services are an active part of the solution

- Published: 13 November 2020
- Author(s): Connie Simpson
- Type:
  Blog
- Tags:
  Health
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At SafeLives we combine data, research and frontline expertise to support services and to influence policy makers. More importantly, we place people with lived experience at the heart of all we do and amplify their voices.

Over the course of our time as an organisation we have learned that the situation for survivors is ever evolving. With local and national lockdowns, this year alone has shown us how much work there still is to be done to achieve our goal of ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. We need to hear from survivors now more than ever.

Domestic abuse has a profound impact on our physical and mental health. It is vital that health services are an active part of the solution to give victims the help they urgently need.

We estimate that c77,500 Londoners received medical attention following domestic abuse in the last 12 months. In the year before getting effective help, nearly a quarter (23%) of victims at high risk of serious harm or murder, and one in ten victims at medium risk, went to accident and emergency departments because of their injuries.

Whether a GP’s surgery, a maternity unit, or a mental health service, health providers are well placed to spot the signs of domestic abuse and provide immediate support and information. A whole health approach will help transform the health response to victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse across the capital.

It's only because of referrals made by the hospital and Mind that I'm alive today

Survivor

The Whole Health London project has launched a new survey to explore the experiences of survivors over the age of 16 when accessing health services across London. To achieve a whole health approach to domestic abuse, we need to understand what support survivors are getting when they visit health services. For us to understand this we need to listen.

Completing our survey will help make the case for ending the postcode lottery in health services by bringing survivor voices into the conversation with London’s politicians and policy makers.

If you’ve experienced domestic abuse and have asked for help from health services in London in the last two years, we’d love to hear from you. Please click the link to complete our Whole Health London Survivor Survey.