Patients suffering domestic violence will be offered support when they attend Walsall’s Emergency Department thanks to an Advocate based there.
Raj Gill is an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) employed by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and Black Country Women’s Aid. She has been at the Manor Hospital since February last year and her role also focuses on raising awareness among staff and offering them education awareness sessions.
“Any patient who suffers domestic abuse, sexual abuse – any form of abuse – will be offered support and a referral into Black Country Women’s Aid, or other appropriate services,” said Raj.
“Staff in an Emergency Department see a huge number of people with all sorts of conditions and illnesses and helping those people get well again is the clinical priority, but an issue such as domestic violence can be an underlying cause for those visits to hospital.
“Equally, it may be a patient has never disclosed they are experiencing this type of abuse, and an opportunity can present itself. This is why an Independent Advocate is such a worthwhile role in this healthcare setting.”
Raj, a mother-of-two, has seen an increase month on month in the number of people disclosing domestic abuse and supports more than 25 on average each month.
“There can be trigger points such as the recent Euros football tournament, bank holidays, Christmas and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, when domestic violence incidents typically increase,” added Raj.
“But I have worked with patients who have been living with abuse for years and there’s a history, and equally with those for whom abuse has recently occurred. I have one-to-one sessions with patients and am here to talk them through their options and offer them a place of safety via referrals into appropriate services.
“People may have other needs such as substance misuse issues, mental health concerns or financial difficulties, alongside of the abuse they are experiencing. I can work with partners and agencies across the area alongside West Midlands Police to show them what is available for them.
“I am here to help and advise both female and male victims and I’m also able to support with other issues such as modern slavery, honour-based violence, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).”
Raj’s role provides a focus for staff to gain a wider knowledge of abuse and spot potential signs.
“Education is important for all of us, as anyone’s role in a hospital could bring them into contact with someone struggling because of abuse,” she added. “I’m here for staff as well as patients, to help raise awareness and work with colleagues to do our collective best for our patients.”
Raj admits dealing with such upsetting issues is difficult but credits her team at Black Country Women’s Aid as well as in Walsall’s ED with being her own support system.
“I work with some great people and the role, while challenging, is so rewarding – especially if you can look back and see your involvement has made a positive difference,” she said.