Understanding domestic abuse – new Turas e-module launched

A new e-learning module developed by Public Health Scotland (PHS) to help nursing students across Scotland understand and respond to domestic abuse is now available on Turas, NHS Education for Scotland's single platform for health and social care learning.

Domestic abuse is a key issue pertaining to Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), a major public health issue in Scotland. Experiencing domestic abuse can lead to a range of health impacts for women, children and young people, but is not often the initial presenting issue for affected patients.

The module will help develop an understanding among student nurses of the complexities of domestic abuse, how to recognise signs, and how to respond sensitively and appropriately.

Organisational Lead for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at PHS Emma Kennedy said:

Domestic abuse can seriously affect physical, mental and sexual health, and create barriers to health services, employment and education.

By developing this module, we want to equip healthcare workers with the knowledge they need to recognise experience of domestic abuse and the confidence to intervene. Helping those affected to access support and treatment from a range of health services is vital and can improve their health outcomes.

PHS worked with a range of partners to develop the module, which is part of a range of GBV modules hosted on Turas. While it is targeted primarily at nursing students and includes some information that is specific to nursing, the module also?provides?a comprehensive?introduction to understanding domestic?abuse relevant to a wide range of professionals in the health and social care sector.

Access the Understanding domestic abuse e-learning module [external link].