ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how health care professionals can understand the violence that women in the perinatal period may experience, and what is current best practice to support them. It reviews the prevalence and health impact of Domestic and family violence (DFV) in the perinatal period and describes women's experience and stages of women's pathways to safety. Women can experience many forms of violence during pregnancy, some of which are reflected within the following quotes: DFV is complex and the factors influencing why it occurs can be present at several levels. However, both Cochrane and the World Health Organisation (WHO) considered pregnancy a significantly vulnerable period and recommended screening in antenatal settings. UK guidance suggests trained staff in antenatal, postnatal and other high risk areas ask all women about DFV exposure, and not just when indicators of abuse are present.
