Care during the perinatal period for women who are victims of
sexual abuse - Guidance for professionals
The Maternity Improvement Forum has developed short guidance for
practitioners in the maternity team to support them in caring for
women who have been the victims of sexual abuse.
This project was developed from a professional story.
Women often conceal the fact that they are or have been victims
of sexual abuse. For many reasons, however, the woman may disclose
this during the perinatal period. A midwife who had cared for
women who had been sexually abused shared her experiences at a
meeting of the maternity improvement forum. She noted how
unexpected the disclosures were. It was agreed that guidance would
help members of the maternity team prepare for and respond to such
a disclosure. This guidance is simple, and can be printed for
circulation locally.
Literature Summary
In order to map what information was already in the public
domain, the working group commissioned a literature search from our
knowledge services at NHS QIS. A working group, on behalf of the
maternity improvement forum, agreed the search terms and the
findings were subsequently systematised.
The Process
The literature search established that there was already a body
of literature in academic and relevant professional journals on the
subject. In addition the working group had their professional
experience on which to draw as well as published case studies. The
group agreed that any guidance they developed should conform to
certain principles. It was to be a first step to help a member of
the maternity team, accessible, inexpensive and easy to
replicate.
Published Date: 26 May 2011
