Euro 2024: Domestic abuse support stepped up amid expected spike
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Information boards have been placed in Hull Women and Children’s Hospital during Euro 2024 to support people experiencing domestic abuse.
Researchers at Warwick Business School discovered abuse and violence by partners increase by 47 per cent on days when the men’s England side win a World Cup or European Championship match.
Now, clinical support worker Tracey Walker has placed information boards in the Gynaecology Outpatients Department and the Early Pregnancy Unit along with notices on the back of toilet doors to help staff, patients and visitors facing abuse and violence at home.
Tracey, who has supported patients experiencing domestic violence in the last three years as part of her role, said: “We want to offer our patients the best possible care and we know that domestic violence can increase when patients are pregnant and when we have major football events.
“We’ve introduced these boards in the departments so our patients know we can help them. We’ve also put the information on the back of toilet doors to help those who might not feel comfortable reading the board but still want to access the information.
“Our hospitals are a safe space for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, somewhere where they can feel safe to speak to us, talk about what’s been happening or get help from community services.”
SUPPORT: Tracey Walker in front of the information board
Tracey and her colleague, colposcopy support nurse Vickie Carter, were among hospital staff to undergo specialist training to support staff, patients, relatives or carers at a Domestic Abuse Champions study day organised by the trust and Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership (DAP) last month.
Tracey said: “We’ve been trained to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and respond to anyone who open up to us about what is happening in their home lives.
“We want them to know we are here to help and will be happy to listen to them and refer them to services which are there to help them.”
