AQW 20791/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 17/01/2025
Answered On Date: 03/02/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) how his Department and statutory agencies are addressing the connection of elder care and domestic abuse, particularly for victims with reduced mental or physical capacity; and (ii) whether health and social care providers are able to recognise signs of domestic abuse among older patients.
Answer:
The Department of Health collaborates with the Department of Justice and other statutory agencies to address the intersection of elder care and domestic abuse. This collaborative effort is encapsulated in the new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy (2024-31) which was formally launched on 25 September 2024 and is jointly led by the Departments of Health and Justice. The Strategy recognises that anyone can be a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any form of disability. The Strategy also recognises that while anyone can experience domestic and /or sexual abuse, some people may be more at risk or may face additional barriers in accessing services and will therefore require specialist support and intervention. For example, older people face a number of additional barriers to seeking support including generational views about faith, loyalty, shame and guilt. In some cases, they may find it difficult to report if the person is abusing them is also their carer or they are financially dependent on them. The Strategy acknowledges the importance of identifying and responding to the intersectional needs of victims, to both prevent abuse from happening and to provide appropriate support in the event that it does occur. The Department of Health is developing an Adult Protection Bill which will introduce additional protections to strengthen and underpin the adult protection process. The Adult Protection Bill will see the introduction of a number of duties and powers to assist in enquiries and the protection of all adults at risk. Health and Social Care staff are provided with training to identify and respond effectively to domestic abuse. Staff are supported to consider and discuss the contexts in which domestic abuse can manifest, dispel myths about where domestic abuse can occur and who can experience domestic abuse. This will include acknowledgement of the safety strategies and resilience that older victims develop over time, increasing physical and social dependencies of both the victim and the alleged perpetrator, family and social perception/support or lack of and isolation. Training supports staff to be aware and recognise those potentially more vulnerable groups of people that could be at higher risk of abuse, such as those with reduced mental or physical capacity. When staff have concerns that a service user or patient is experiencing domestic abuse, an adult safeguarding referral is progressed on their behalf and a DASH Risk Assessment is completed with the individual. Should a professional assessment indicate that a service user is at high risk from domestic violence, a referral is made to the MARAC Forum. Trusts engage in this Forum to ensure that information is shared with multi-agency partners in a timely manner, and that plans are implemented to support victim’s safety. Should an adult be deemed ‘an adult in need of protection from domestic abuse’, trained Adult Safeguarding Designated Adult Protection Officers and Investigating Officers work with victims to implement protection plans to mitigate against risks.
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