Trainee doctors ‘should be taught to spot signs of violence against women’

By The Press Association11th December 2015News EnglandDomestic Abuse / Violence, News England, Victim Support, Violence

Trainee doctors should be taught to recognise the signs of “gender-based violence” against women such as domestic abuse, sexual violence and forced marriage, the Chief Medical Officer has said in a report.

While men are more likely to be affected overall by violence, women are more likely to be affected by these specific offences, Dame Sally Davies said.

In her overview to the report, Dame Sally (pictured) wrote: “Violence against women is prevalent at levels which make any ideals of ours as a civilised society difficult to reconcile with the reality.

“This violence impacts on the mental and physical health of women and also their children. In England, violence against women must be considered as a determinant of health by those planning and delivering healthcare.”

Her report, The Health Of The 51%: Women, highlighted that the 2013/2014 Crime Survey for England and Wales saw the highest number of sexual offences (64,205) recorded by the police since 2002/03.

It recommended that the General Medical Council-approved training of medical undergraduates “equips future regulated healthcare professionals to recognise and respond to violence against women”.

The General Dental Council (GDC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) should also “ensure this issue is given due prominence”, it said, while Health Education England e-learning for current medical professionals should be further developed to include issues such as “sexual violence ‘honour’-based violence and forced marriages”.

The report also highlighted the problems faced by female asylum seekers, with 75% of the 6,071 who came to the UK “in their own right” in 2012 saying they had experienced rape.