People in West Lothian who have experienced gender-based violence will be able to access more support.
NHS Lothian has launched a new service aimed at supporting people who have endured violence because of their gender, including sexual offences.
The Gender Based Violence Service not only provides specialist care to individuals, but will play an important role in raising awareness of the impact of gender based violence on the health and social outcomes of adults, young people and children across Lothian and Scotland.
The service is designed to support the recovery of those affected by trauma caused as a result of gender based violence, in particular sexual assault or rape.
By recognising the importance of the individual in their own care journey and by minimising the barriers to receiving care and support when memories of trauma are triggered, the service hopes to support the long term health, wellbeing and recovery of individuals.
Gender based violence, including sexual offences, can have significant immediate and long term effects on an individual’s physical health, mental health and wellbeing. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, alcohol and drug misuse, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide can be common among people who experience gender based violence.
As well as physical and mental health impacts, sexual offences can negatively impact on an individual’s personal and professional attainment, while also worsening the impact of inequalities.
Dzidzai Chipuriro, clinical nurse manager, Gender Based Violence Service, NHS Lothian said, “Sexual violence, assault or rape can happen to anyone and the long term impacts on individuals and their communities can be devastating. Having a dedicated service in place to provide support, advice and specialist care is a critically important step in both promoting and enabling recovery.”
Alongside specialist care, the service will also support and enable the collection of high quality evidence for use in associated criminal justice processes. Specially trained forensic practitioners will combine person-centred care with skilled forensic work to collect evidence while protecting the forensic integrity of the person, the treatment room and the case.
Dzidzai continued: “Our teams are trained to provide specialist care, ensuring that individuals feel safe, respected and listened to. The service will be tailored to each individual’s needs and specific concerns with comprehensive support covering all aspects of physical health, mental health and wellbeing available either through the service or with the many partner organisations that we work with.
“The roots of gender based violence are deeply embedded within society. These attitudes can have a significant impact on people who experience gender based violence and can deter them from seeking help due to fear of judgment.
“As well as providing care and support, this new service will play a significant role in helping to shift the narrative on gender based violence not just in here in Lothian, but across Scotland.”
Professor Alex McMahon, executive director for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Professionals, NHS Lothian said, “I am delighted to launch this new service which I know will play a fundamentally important role in the lives of people who experience gender based violence.
“Through this service we can provide vital support and the hope of recovery to those who need it.”
The service can accept self-referrals by individuals, as well as referrals from professionals. Information and support is also available from a doctor or nurse at your GP surgery, hospital emergency department, sexual health clinics, young people’s services, NHS 24 (dial 111) and the police.
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