A disturbing reality faces millions of women and girls across the UK: violence has become an entrenched part of their lives, causing profound physical and mental health problems. A recent report by The King's Fund highlights the urgent need for the NHS to treat this issue as a public health emergency, rather than just a social problem.
The impact on survivors is far-reaching and devastating. They often experience complex health issues, including injuries, chronic pain, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and severe mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (NHS Digital, 2020). These long-term consequences can persist for decades, putting a significant strain on primary care services, emergency departments, and specialist units.
Recognising VAWG as a public health emergency would necessitate a fundamental shift in the NHS's approach. It would require increased investment in training healthcare professionals to identify signs of abuse, offer appropriate support, and make timely referrals to specialist services (NHS England, 2019). Improved data collection and analysis are also crucial for understanding the prevalence and patterns of violence, allowing more targeted interventions.
The King's Fund report notes that while the NHS provides support for survivors, it is often delivered in a piecemeal fashion rather than as part of a cohesive strategy. By elevating VAWG to public health emergency status, the issue would receive sustained attention and dedicated resources, potentially leading to national guidelines for screening, intervention, and prevention.
This approach aligns with international efforts to address gender-based violence. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long highlighted violence against women as a major public health problem and human rights violation (WHO, 2013). For the NHS, adopting this stance would mean placing greater emphasis on prevention, working in collaboration with other sectors like education, social services, and the criminal justice system to tackle the root causes of violence.
The implications for healthcare provision are significant. Treating VAWG as a public health emergency could lead to a more consistent and compassionate response for survivors, reducing their burden to seek help and instead offering proactive support within healthcare settings (NHS England, 2019). It would also foster a culture within the NHS that acknowledges the profound impact of violence on women's lives.