Abuse in pregnancy 'more common' than pre-eclampsia

Almost 400 pregnant women who were victims of domestic abuse were treated at Dublin maternity hospitals as part of a three-year pilot project, according to a new report.

The report also found that most pregnant women who are subjected to domestic violence say that fear, shame and a concern about having their children taken away from them stopped them from asking maternity staff for help.

The collaboration between Women's Aid, the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, the Coombe Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital saw an increase in practical support to pregnant victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

The pilot maternity project delivered specialist training to nearly 350 maternity care staff, and also increased the understanding of coercive control among maternity staff.

A dedicated one-to-one support service in the three Dublin maternity hospitals was established and provided "same day" support upon referral to 379 victims of domestic abuse.

Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson said regular, ongoing healthcare appointments in pregnancy offered multiple opportunities for disclosure.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said the impacts of domestic abuse are "absolutely devastating" on both physical and emotional wellbeing.

She added that domestic abuse during pregnancy is more common than gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.

She added that it enabled women to access services without arousing suspicion from an abusive partner.

Ms Benson said said the pilot project has "huge potential" and the referral pathway is "immediate".

"Those 379 women had gone through that process, they had disclosed, they had been referred internally and then referred to us," she said.

"What we could do then is have that quick, short-term intervention that included going to court with women, collaborating with the health team in the hospital to safely find ways for women to leave the hospital directly to refuge."

Ms Benson said leaving an abusive or coercive relationship is "not an automatic or easy process" and that many women have additional barriers, such as immigration status or other complex needs.

"We can't keep women safe when a perpetrator is the person who is responsible for the harm. What we will do is, we will work with women to empower them," she said.

"Essentially, both mother and baby are victims of domestic abuse during pregnancy."

Acting Principal Medical Social Worker at the Coombe Hospital Kate Burke noted an increase in the number of "affected women".

She said: "As medical social workers, we have been working with pregnant women to provide the emotional and practical support that they need to ensure their safety and wellbeing, for many years.

"However, the number of affected women is growing, and more resources are required to meet this need."