This page will be here until June 1  2016.

I was asked to talk at today's Primary Care 2016 Conference at the NEC and met with 200+ midwives to discuss how they might deal with women experiencing domestic violence. 

There was a huge amount of existing knowledge in the room - midwives really know there stuff when it comes to DV - but a recurring theme was, "How do I manage the systems around the woman?" i.e how do I make the police prosecute a perpetrator? How do I get the supporting services to function around the woman?" And whilst MARAC are certainly vital by no means every women is going to find the legal and practical help she will need. 

Midwives and health workers in general are problem solvers and with DV many of the issues are not immediately solvable. It's incredibly hard to work with a woman who knows her baby is at risk and who still loves her abuser. It's maddening to know that the services available on paper - refuges, IDVA's, specialist counselling services - may not be available to women, because their acceptance thresholds are now so high or they have disappeared altogether.

Midwives hold hope for women in these life-threatening situations. Not making false promises. Not saying, "Everything will be OK" because very often it won't be OK. But being there. Being solid. Being trustworthy and empathic. 

A number of midwives said, "I made the time to talk carefully with this woman." What I've learned today is that midwives may not take the same time for themselves. You know that saying, "Happy mother, happy child"? Let's talk about "Midwife wellbeing is mothers wellbeing."

Thank you for sitting with me right up to and beyond 5pm. Thank you for caring so professionally and under such pressure for women and their children. 

Dept of Health Domestic Violence and Abuse – Professional Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211018/9576-TSO-Health_Visiting_Domestic_Violence_A3_Posters_WEB.pdf

Standing Together Health and Maternity Project
​http://www.standingtogether.org.uk/standingtogetherlocal/standingtogethermaternity/ 


Click here for the presentation I use when talking with midwives.
​

I visit midwifery departments and universities to give a 3 hour session on domestic violence in pregnancy and postpartum which gives students and qualified midwives a thorough and excellent grounding in this vital subject.

Please contact me for further details.

07717 845 115

clareslaneycounselling@gmail.com