6. So what can we do?
Now you have an understanding about the terminology and myths regarding gender based violence, we can consider the actions that can be taken to address it.
Women experiencing gender based violence visit a range of health and social care settings. Most will be extremely reluctant to disclose their experiences. It is important to be aware of the different ways that women might present.
There may be behavioural, mental or physical signs that concern you. There are a number of things you can do.
To make this easier to remember in practice we have developed two mnemonics,
"Safe" and "Sound".
Stress and safety
Stress and safety: do you feel safe in your relationship?
Afraid
Afraid: has your partner ever threatened or hurt you or your children?
Friends and family
Friends and family: if you were hurt, would your friends and family know and be able to help?
Emergency plan
Emergency plan: do you have a safe place to go in an emergency?
Observations
Observations: need recording accurately.
Understand
Understand: you may need to ask on more than one occasion, when the women is on her own.
Never keep it to yourself
Never keep it to yourself: tell someone (tell a tutor or colleague).
Diversity matters
Diversity matters: abuse can happen to all ages, races and levels of income.
View all "safe" and "sound" mnemonics
SAFE
SOUND
