Domestic and sexual violence can have a profound and lasting impact on mental health. Yet many women and girls who have experienced abuse may never feel able to speak about it, or may not recognise their experiences as abuse.
At The Somerville Clinic, we believe it is important that healthcare professionals create safe, compassionate spaces where women and girls are supported to talk about their experiences, without judgement or pressure.
Why asking matters
Experiences of domestic and sexual violence are closely associated with mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), difficulties with emotional regulation, sleep problems and substance use. The effects may be immediate or emerge many years later.
For some survivors, the connection between their mental health and past or current experiences of abuse may not initially be clear. They may present with low mood, anxiety, difficulties with relationships, self-esteem or a persistent sense of feeling unsafe. We also recognise the overlap of experiences between past trauma, neurodivergence and our hormonal wellbeing including postnatally, PMDDx and perimenopause and menopause.
Asking about these experiences matters. It can help us understand someone's difficulties in the context of their life, rather than viewing symptoms in isolation. It can also help ensure that support is sensitive to trauma and shaped around what each person needs.
These conversations should always be handled with care. Women and girls should be given choice, privacy and time. They should never feel obliged to disclose, explain or revisit experiences before they are ready.
A message to survivors
If you are reading this and have experienced domestic or sexual violence, we want you to know that what happened was not your fault.
You do not have to minimise what happened, justify your feelings or meet anyone else's expectations of what a survivor should look like. Your experiences matter, and you deserve to be listened to, believed and supported.
It is never too early or too late to seek help. You do not have to report what happened to the police to access specialist support.
Where to find support
If you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, or are affected by experiences in the past, the following UK organisations can offer confidential support:
Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours). Information and support for women experiencing domestic abuse. nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24 hours). Confidential support for anyone aged 16 or over affected by sexual violence or abuse. 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
Rape Crisis – Find a local service: rapecrisis.org.uk
Women's Aid: Information, practical guidance and support for women experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse. womensaid.org.uk
The Survivors Trust: 08088 010 818. Support and information for survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. thesurvivorstrust.org
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak when calling from a mobile, you can press 55 when prompted to be transferred to the police.
If you are concerned that someone may monitor your phone or internet use, consider whether it is safe to visit these websites or make contact. The NHS and Women's Aid provide guidance on accessing information more safely.
At The Somerville Clinic, we recognise that understanding women's mental health means understanding the experiences and circumstances that shape it. Listening, asking sensitively and responding with compassion are essential parts of providing care that truly meets women's needs.
