A study to ascertain the implementation and impact of the domestic abuse antenatal care pathway in practice and through the views and experiences of the women who have experienced domestic abuse

Domestic abuse accounts for a quarter of all violent crimes and is known to be triggered by pregnancy. This is both a criminal and public health/community safety issue affecting the physical and mental health of families in Wales. Evidence based minimum standards for midwives and health visitors state that all women should be routinely asked about domestic abuse in the antenatal period. Subsequently an antenatal domestic abuse care pathway to document routine enquiry and assess risk was developed and launched in Wales, in 2005. A four phase study was conducted to ascertain the number of pregnant women who were routinely asked about domestic abuse, the number of disclosures, referrals made and explore the views of the women and health care professionals.