The BMA warmly welcomes the first Domestic Abuse Awareness Day. Domestic abuse is a profound public health issue, affecting individuals, families and communities across the UK. As doctors, we witness the lasting physical and psychological harm it causes — and we must also recognise that members of the medical profession are not immune. 

Doctors, too, can experience abuse, often in silence and under immense professional pressure and they deserve the same protection, support and understanding as any other survivor. 

This national day is an important step in raising awareness, challenging stigma, and strengthening the services that victims and survivors rely on. The BMA remains committed to working with partners across health and social care to ensure that everyone affected by domestic abuse — including those within the medical workforce — receives compassionate, safe and effective support.

I would like to thank the Medical Women’s Federation and Doctors Association UK for starting this vital campaign. I strongly encourage our members who have been impacted by domestic abuse to seek support from the BMA, whether to get the adjustments you need from your employer or medical school, or to access our wellbeing services.   

Doctors play a crucial role for many survivors who are seeking support, often being the first person they confide in. We must not forget the medical workforce can also be harmed by domestic abuse and need to access this support. In fact, doctors can face unique additional challenges. For example, the fears of being recognised by their patients when accessing local support services or being known by the health professionals who provide these resources.  

Men and women can be survivors or perpetrators of abuse and each of these cases is important. However, domestic abuse remains to be seen as gendered issue that disproportionately impacts women. The prevalence and type of abuse is significantly different.

Domestic violence experienced by women is more likely to include multiple incidents of abuse, they are more likely to experience sexual violence and more likely to be severely hurt or killed. Domestic abuse towards women takes place in wider structural crisis of male violence towards women and girls, rooted in gender inequality.

Domestic violence disproportionately affecting women does not mean it is up to women to solve. It requires all of society to combat this issue. Men can have a unique role in engaging with other boys and men who hold the attitudes that fuel this behaviour. Male allies can provide a counter to the concerning rise of misogynistic voices, perpetuating gender stereotypes that lead to male violence. Domestic abuse is a workplace issue. Domestic abuse is not isolated to the home, for many it will follow them into the work.  

A report from the TUC showed that this includes being harassed at work through phone calls and emails, having their abuser turning up in the workplace or being stalked outside the workplace.

Being in an abusive relationship may also affect their wellbeing and quality of their work. Employers training all staff in identifying domestic abuse can be vital opportunity to encourage a victim to speak up. Someone may not be at a point where they are prepared to leave their abuser, this should not prevent employers providing all the support they need.  

If a person makes the courageous decision to leave their abuser, the employer can play a crucial role in mitigating the challenges. This can be done through allowing flexible working hours, recognising that leaving a partner or home takes time, particularly when children are involved. Employers can help by acting compassionately and appreciating that this process may impact a person’s ability to carry out their role.  

Doctors can face unique challenges in the workplace. This includes unplannable and unsociable working hours that can limit their ability to attend appointments or take on their additional childcare responsibilities. It is common for doctors to be in relationships with other health professionals. This adds to the likelihood that they will be working alongside the perpetrator, this adds to the fear around leaving and removes the workplace as a place of distance from their partner. Doctors also rotate and are more likely to find themselves away from friends and families, making them more vulnerable to social isolation.  

As your trade union, we are in position where we can help secure the support you need from your employer. If you have been affected by domestic abuse, we are here for you.

Amit Kochhar is BMA representative body chair