On October 11th, 2024, Charlotte Chappell from IRISi introduced the ADViSE programme to the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) network during a key session of its virtual Scientific Meeting as part of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Special Interest Group. This marked a pivotal moment for ADViSE as it was presented to the country’s leading sexual health professionals, further embedding its transformative approach to addressing domestic abuse (DA) and sexual violence (SV) within sexual health services.
BASHH, the UK’s leading professional organisation for sexual health care, provides a platform for clinicians and researchers to share best practice, collaborate on service improvements, and advance public health initiatives. Charlotte’s presentation of ADViSE resonated with the BASHH community. The programme – Assessing for Domestic Violence and Abuse in Sexual Health Environments – is a pioneering model that equips sexual health clinicians to identify and support patients affected by abuse. Charlotte, Head of ADViSE at IRISi, was joined by Dr Ali Mears, a Sexual Health Consultant and Clinical Lead for the programme, who shared practical insights and real-world outcomes of the intervention, emphasising its transformative impact on both staff and patients.
Adapted from the IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) programme for general practice, ADViSE is tailored for sexual health clinics. While IRIS focuses on supporting women experiencing domestic abuse, ADViSE reaches a more diverse and harder-to-reach population, many of whom may not seek help through general practice but do engage with sexual health services. The programme offers clinicians a structured process to identify abuse, ask appropriate questions, and provide referrals to specialist services, establishing a clear pathway to safety and support.
Charlotte highlighted the programme’s success since its launch in 2021: “Presenting the ADViSE pilot results to the BASHH community is a significant milestone for us. ADViSE has shown real-world effectiveness, demonstrating how crucial it is for clinicians to ask the right questions. Every disclosure counts, and we’re seeing firsthand how this programme enhances safety for individuals affected by different types of abuse.”
The positive impact of ADViSE was underscored by quotes from service users and clinicians, illustrating the profound effect of creating a supportive and safe environment. The programme empowers sexual health professionals to foster these environments by embedding trauma-informed care principles – safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment – into their practice.
SERVICE USERS QUOTES:
“I live in a city where there is a large LGBT+ population, but there is not enough support available. The majority of support is aimed at straight cis people. So, thank you, I’m really happy to have received support from ADViSE as I always felt that the services available to me were limited.“
“This is the first service I have been involved with a service that makes me feel seen, heard, understood and supported. I very much appreciate the help given to me and will always be grateful”.
CLINICIANS QUOTES:
“Shocking statistics which has been an eye opener as a health professional. Feel confident to address and act upon a situation if someone confides in me”.
“Useful training and good reminder of how to deal with a very important issue that can be easily missed”.
“I feel like you have taught me about a new disease that affects many of my patients in a massive way that I previously didn’t know about”.
The role of sexual health in supporting abuse disclosures
Dr Rachel Caswell from University Hospitals Birmingham also presented her work at the meeting and emphasised the importance of routine enquiries into sexual violence within sexual health services. Her session, “Acceptability of Sexual Violence Enquiry”, explored how creating inclusive, accessible care can empower patients to disclose experiences of abuse without fear of re-traumatisation.
Adding to the discussion, Dr Amy Bennett, consultant GUM/HIV from CNWL’s Surrey Sexual Health Service, presented the results of a national survey on sexual violence and domestic abuse enquiries within UK sexual health services. She highlighted challenges clinicians face when incorporating routine enquiry into consultations, further underscoring the importance of structured frameworks like ADViSE to guide these sensitive conversations.
ADViSE: A model for the future
IRISi’s presentation directly addressed the challenges raised by both Dr Caswell and Dr Bennett as well as giving real world examples of an intervention designed to address gaps that clinicians themselves have raised. ADViSE provides a clear and effective referral pathway to specialist services, ensuring that survivors of abuse receive the support they need when disclosing in sexual health settings.
As the meeting concluded, the key takeaway was clear: sexual health professionals play an essential role in identifying and supporting survivors of abuse. With the support of BASHH, ADViSE is poised to continue transforming how disclosures of domestic abuse and sexual violence are handled across the UK. By integrating ADViSE into sexual health clinics, clinicians are not only improving the quality of care but also actively contributing to the safety and well-being of those affected by abuse.
If you are interested in finding out more about how ADViSE can be implemented in your clinic or area, please get in touch with Charlotte at charlotte.chappell@irisi.org.
