Thousands of pregnant women in England are reporting domestic abuse. Midwives are struggling to cope

New research reveals that maternity services in England receive around 20,000 disclosures of domestic abuse annually, though experts suggest the actual number may be even higher. The findings underscore the critical role midwives and other maternity professionals play in recognizing abuse during routine prenatal care. According to the analysis, these frontline workers often encounter signs of domestic violence in their daily practice, reinforcing their importance in early intervention. The data highlights a pressing need for better support systems to address the issue effectively.

Exclusive: Analysis ‘lays bare’ something midwives already know from their day-to-day workAbout 20,000 disclosures of domestic abuse are estimated to be made to maternity services in England every year, analysis has found.The figures are likely to be an underestimate of the true scale of disclosures, according to experts, highlighting the role maternity professionals play in identifying abuse. Continue reading...