Sexual Violence SIG

Sexual Violence SIG

COVID-19: Important Information

Immediate safety planning for survivors of domestic abuse: During self isolation and extended lockdowns, specialist services are already identifying significantly increased risks for survivors of Domestic Abuse, particularly when they live with the perpetrator.
This advice has been put together to assist supporting staff and patient survivors in their immediate safety planning. It also advises staff on key considerations when conducting remote enquiry over the telephone, which will become more common with social distancing - DOWNLOAD HERE

To access all other BASHH COVID-19 resources please visit the COVID-19 page: https://bashh.org/covid-19


SV Committee Members 2021

Chair
Deborah Wardle
Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine
Lead Clinical for Archway, Sexual Assault and Referral Centre
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
deborah.wardle@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Secretary & Nurse Representative
Lisa Walton
Specialist Nurse
Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services Integrated Sexual Health

FFLM Representative
Michelle Carroll
Senior Forensic Physician
St Mary’s SARC & Clinical Lead SAFE Place Merseyside

Other SV SIG Members

Amy Bennett
Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV
Central North West London NHS Trust

Daniela Brawley
Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV
Aberdeen Health Village, NHS Grampian

Rachel Caswell
Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV
University Hospitals Birmingham 

Charlotte Cohen
Consultant GU/HIV
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Katherine Coyne
Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV
Homerton University Hospital

Fionnuala Finnerty
HIV and Sexual Health SpR,
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust

Ali Mears
Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV
St Marys Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

 

Sarah Mensforth 
Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV 
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 
Rachel Sacks
Speciality Dr in GU/HIV
St. Mary's Hospital Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London


Responding to Domestic Abuse in Sexual Health Settings - February 2016

Patients experiencing domestic abuse (DA) commonly present in sexual health services and NICE* recommends routine enquiry (i.e. asking all patients about the experience of DA, regardless of any visible signs of abuse) to identify DA within these services.

Alternative approaches include case-based enquiry (i.e. asking all patients with risk indicators e.g. un-explained injuries, depression) or targeted enquiry (i.e. asking specific patient cohorts e.g. under 18s, commercial sex workers).

Whatever identification approach is used, it is crucial that enquiry and management of a disclosure is carried out safely. This necessitates departmental guidelines, a DA proforma, management flow chart with clear referral pathways to relevant services and role-appropriate initial DA training for staff with training updates and ongoing support and supervision.

The BASHH Sexual Violence group has produced ‘Responding to Domestic Abuse in Sexual Health Settings’ to support sexual health services who want to introduce DA enquiry.

*Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2014

 


 

Completed Projects

  • Responding to Domestic Abuse in Sexual Health Settings February 2016
  • National survey of GUM/HIV provision of services for complainants of sexual violence
  • National Survey of GUM/HIV specialist trainees' experience and training needs in managing patients who have experienced sexual violence
  • Sexual Violence Training Day, BASHH Sexual Violence Group, Royal Society of Medicine, London. June 2013
  • Hot Topics in Safeguarding Adults and Children in Sexual Health & HIV, BASHH ASIG and Sexual Violence Group Training Day, Royal Society of Medicine, London. September 2014

 


 

Current Projects

  • BASHH guidelines: Sexual Assault Guidelines (updating)

 


 

Future projects

  • Development of generic patient information leaflets that can be locally adapted for use in GUM/HIV clinics nationally

 


 

Guidelines, National Organisations and Service Providers

 


 

Related organisations/useful resources

 


 

FGM Resources and e-learning modules

The REPLACE Approach is a new way to tackle FGM in the EU and replaces the dominant methods used to end FGM in the EU which focus on raising awareness of the health and human rights issues associated with the practice and then expecting individuals to change their behaviour concerning FGM - Click Here for further information

FGM Mandatory Reporting - Department of Health support pack for health professionals available on BASHH website - Click Here

http://www.fgmelearning.co.uk/ - Home Office learning module and assessment

http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf - Unicef document on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting:
A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/sexual-health-services/Documents/List%20of%20FGM%20Clinics%20Mar%2014%20FINAL.pdf - A list of FGM clinics

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/sexual-health-services/Pages/fgm-health-services-for-women.aspx - NHS choices

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/female-genital-mutilation-resource-pack/female-genital-mutilation-resource-pack - Gov.UK a Home Office resource pack on FGM

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/sexual-health-services/Pages/fgm-for-professionals.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/sexual-health-services/Pages/fgm-resources.aspx

http://www.isb.nhs.uk/documents/isb-1610/amd-01-2014/1610012014spec.pdf

 


 

Courses, Conferences and Further Qualifications

 


 

Terms of Reference

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