Citation

Rashid A. Br. J. Gen. Pract. 2020; 70(695): e298.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Royal College of General Practitioners)

DOI

10.3399/bjgp20X710249

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently warned of a 'horrifying global surge' in domestic violence and abuse (DVA) during the pandemic lockdown period and urged governments to step up efforts to prevent violence against women.1 Worldwide, there have been increased contacts to DVA agencies, and with healthcare workers and police overwhelmed and understaffed, the concerns from DVA activists have been especially grave. Here in the UK, a recent ethnographic study examined the work involved in restructuring the relationship between primary care and specialist DVA support services in two areas.2 The authors paid particular attention to the boundary-spanning role played by DVA advocates in building the referral pathway and encouraging others to participate in it. Having an ongoing peripheral presence in general practice, they conclude, enables them to engage informally in this important work.

Language: en