Our lives, our community: The voice of the public on domestic abuse and child safeguarding concerns.

Our lives, our community: The voice of the public on domestic abuse and child safeguarding concerns.

J. Solomon and S. Taylor

Background Prevention of child and domestic abuse is a public health priority, which requires an integrated approach 1,2. Although it is acknowledged that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility, this tends to refer to professionals rather than citizens 2. Therefore NHS Primary Care Organizations in the East Midlands commissioned this study to identify the types of scenarios that the public have concerns about, and their thresholds for those concerns.

Methods Four qualitative focus groups were conducted with members of the public representing a broad demographic range. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded thematically and analysed using an interpretive approach.

Findings Participants were unsure about whom to refer their concerns to. Furthermore, the emotional distress associated with concerns often acted as a deterrent to reporting. Six categories of types of concern were identified: domestic abuse, neglectful parenting, over-disciplining children, distressed children, suspicious symptoms and inappropriate physical contact.

Interpretation There is a need for professionals to listen to the public’s public concerns, offer assistance with signposting and emotional support.

The project is continuing to a second stage, in which professional DVD dramatizations have been created of each type of concern. These are being used as a basis of an inter-agency Delphi-style consultation.

References

1. Department of Health. Protecting people, Promoting health, 2012.
2. HM Government UK. Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2013.