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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Addressing the challenge of how to provide sensitive midwifery care to a silent hidden population
1
Kings College London, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing- Midwifery and Palliative Care, London, United Kingdom
2
The Survivors Trust, Policy, Rugby, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A6
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
This presentation discusses challenges associated with providing sensitive midwifery care to those who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA). This is a silent, hidden population in maternity services, at increased risk of common physical and mental health conditions, pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes. Maternity care often triggers memories of abuse and sensitive, responsive care is needed.
DISCUSSION:
Failure to listen has been a common criticism of the UK maternity services in recent years. However, the Women’s Health Strategy in England recognised the need to ensure women are heard and tackle taboos. Those who have experienced CSA rarely disclose to healthcare professionals (HCPs) as they fear judgement. One in five women experience CSA, so they are prevalent in our services. Silent, hidden service users are hard to hear. The issue is compounded by the lack of education available for HCPs. How to respond when a history of CSA is suspected is a cause of concern for many. Care of women who have experienced abuse was included in the updated Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of proficiency for midwives and will now be on the curriculum, but resources are lacking. We have co-produced an e-resource on trauma-informed maternity care for those who have experienced CSA. It incorporates the powerful words of survivor participants of our previous research, ensuring they are heard. and discusses principles of trauma-informed care that apply irrespective of disclosure. We are conducting a study, funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, to test the implementation of our resource in pre-registration midwifery programmes in England.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Montgomery E., Duckworth L (2025) Perspectives on trauma-informed maternity care for those with a history of child sexual abuse. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1597924
KEY MESSAGE:
Trauma-informed care is important for survivors of CSA. Our resource addresses the challenge of how to provide sensitive midwifery care to this silent hidden population. Abuse - survivors sexual violence
This presentation discusses challenges associated with providing sensitive midwifery care to those who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA). This is a silent, hidden population in maternity services, at increased risk of common physical and mental health conditions, pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes. Maternity care often triggers memories of abuse and sensitive, responsive care is needed.
DISCUSSION:
Failure to listen has been a common criticism of the UK maternity services in recent years. However, the Women’s Health Strategy in England recognised the need to ensure women are heard and tackle taboos. Those who have experienced CSA rarely disclose to healthcare professionals (HCPs) as they fear judgement. One in five women experience CSA, so they are prevalent in our services. Silent, hidden service users are hard to hear. The issue is compounded by the lack of education available for HCPs. How to respond when a history of CSA is suspected is a cause of concern for many. Care of women who have experienced abuse was included in the updated Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of proficiency for midwives and will now be on the curriculum, but resources are lacking. We have co-produced an e-resource on trauma-informed maternity care for those who have experienced CSA. It incorporates the powerful words of survivor participants of our previous research, ensuring they are heard. and discusses principles of trauma-informed care that apply irrespective of disclosure. We are conducting a study, funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, to test the implementation of our resource in pre-registration midwifery programmes in England.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Montgomery E., Duckworth L (2025) Perspectives on trauma-informed maternity care for those with a history of child sexual abuse. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1597924
KEY MESSAGE:
Trauma-informed care is important for survivors of CSA. Our resource addresses the challenge of how to provide sensitive midwifery care to this silent hidden population. Abuse - survivors sexual violence
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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