In 2025, IRISi marks its 8th anniversary, celebrating nearly a decade of pioneering work in training healthcare professionals to identify and respond to domestic abuse. Over the years, two key realities have become increasingly clear.
First, the need for our work is more urgent than ever. Real-world evidence continues to affirm what research first suggested: healthcare settings play a crucial role in supporting survivors at early stages, preventing escalation. This is why we have expanded beyond general practice, where our model began, to reach a broader range of healthcare environments.
Second, the persistent lack of dedicated, secure funding for violence prevention, particularly in efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, remains a significant challenge. Yet, this obstacle has only strengthened our commitment. We are adapting, diversifying, and finding new ways to continue delivering our vital programmes.
Strengthening the response in dentistry
Recognising that 75% of domestic abuse-related injuries occur in the head and neck region, IRISi has been working to equip dental professionals with the skills to identify and respond to gender-based violence (GBV). Over the past four years, we have collaborated with Bristol Dental School, trained student and foundation dentists across South West England, and contributed to key industry discussions such as the NHSE Dentistry and Safeguarding Conference.
Why? Because dental professionals are uniquely positioned to spot signs of abuse, not only through physical indicators – such as facial injuries and dental trauma – but also through behavioural cues, such as anxiety, reluctance to engage in care or signs of coercion from accompanying individuals.
To strengthen this response, IRISi recently hosted a free introductory webinar highlighting the vital role of dentistry in addressing domestic abuse. The session provided an overview of how dental teams can recognise warning signs and support affected patients. Building on this, we are now offering more in-depth, CPD-certified training to ensure dental professionals have the confidence and skills to take action in their practice. Get in touch with us to find out more (info@irisi.org).
Expanding identification and support: iDAHV for health visiting
IRISi is currently working to develop a pilot intervention aimed at Identifying Domestic Abuse with Health Visitors (iDAHV). This initiative is a strategic adaptation of the successful IRIS model, designed to equip health visitors with the skills and confidence to identify and respond to domestic abuse in their daily interactions with families.
The development of iDAHV has been shaped by valuable input from a focus group of health visiting professionals, ensuring that the programme’s materials and approach are tailored specifically for this setting. Their enthusiasm and belief in the programme’s potential have been key to shaping its direction, highlighting the critical role that health visitors can play in early intervention.
For IRISi, this initiative represents a significant step in broadening its impact. Health visitors work closely with families, often witnessing subtle but telling signs of abuse that might otherwise go unnoticed. By providing them with the right tools and training, the iDAHV pilot will have the potential to generate valuable insights and pave the way for broader implementation across other regions, ultimately strengthening the overall healthcare response to domestic abuse.
School Nurses and CYP Services
With support from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), IRISi is leading research into school nursing and Children’s and Young Persons (CYP) services to identify gaps, improve collaboration, and enhance support for young survivors of GBV. School nurses and CYP professionals play a vital role in recognising and responding to GBV, as their close, trusted relationships with children and adolescents create opportunities for disclosures that might not happen elsewhere. Their regular contact with students allows them to spot early warning signs, such as behavioural changes, unexplained injuries, or indicators of coercion and control, making them essential in early intervention efforts.
To strengthen their role, IRISi hosted focus group sessions in early 2025, inviting school nurses to share insights and help shape specialised resources and training. Participants contributed ideas that will guide IRISi in developing tailored approaches to address domestic abuse and GBV in these healthcare settings, while also joining a network of professionals committed to improving care for young survivors. This work is a vital step toward ensuring that more young people receive timely, effective support.
Advancing evidence-based interventions: IRIS+, PHRIDA, and NAMED
Reinforcing our commitment to work grounded in research and evidence, IRISi is actively engaged in three key initiatives – IRIS+, the PHRIDA study, and NAMED – all designed to strengthen the healthcare response to domestic abuse through rigorous evaluation and innovation. By integrating academic research into frontline practice, we aim to ensure that interventions are both effective and sustainable.
IRIS+ is an expansion of the IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) model, broadening its reach to support men, children, and young people affected by domestic abuse. This initiative builds on the foundation of IRIS, which has been proven to improve healthcare-based identification and referral pathways for women experiencing abuse. Through IRIS+, we seek to determine whether a more inclusive, adaptable model can effectively support a broader range of survivors. The intervention is currently being trialled in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Swansea Bay, and Bolton, in partnership with Next Link Domestic Abuse Services, CALAN DVS, and Fortalice Ltd. The study, developed with the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol, will assess whether IRIS+ is effective, scalable, and cost-efficient, to make it a commissionable programme that strengthens the primary care response to domestic abuse.
Alongside this, IRISi is a key partner in the PHRIDA study (Enhancing Practitioner Health’s Readiness to Identify and Respond to Domestic Abuse), a national initiative led by NHS Practitioner Health and the University of Bristol. With research showing that 41.8% of female healthcare professionals experience domestic abuse, this study aims to develop a tailored intervention that improves Practitioner Health’s ability to identify and respond to domestic abuse among its own workforce. Funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), this initiative builds on IRISi’s long-standing support for healthcare professionals through IRIS and ADViSE, reinforcing the urgent need for specialist, evidence-based responses within the sector.
NAMED (Nurses and Midwives’ Experiences of Domestic Abuse) is a 20-month research project led by Alison Gregory and funded by the Royal College of Nursing Foundation (RCN Foundation). While IRISi is not a funded partner in this project, we play a crucial role as part of the expert advisory panel, providing guidance, assistance and support on issues related to the study. NAMED seeks to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives who have faced domestic abuse, contributing valuable insights to better support healthcare professionals affected by abuse.
Through these initiatives, we continue to drive evidence-based change, ensuring that healthcare settings are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to respond effectively to domestic abuse.
Pioneering the future: Join us in driving change
For eight years, IRISi has been at the forefront of transforming the healthcare response to domestic abuse – adapting, expanding, and pushing boundaries to reach more survivors. Our work has proven that evidence-based interventions save lives, yet persistent funding challenges continue to threaten these vital programmes.
We refuse to stand still. As we look to the future, we remain committed to pioneering new solutions, ensuring that healthcare professionals are equipped, survivors are supported, and domestic abuse is recognised as the urgent health crisis that it is.
But we can’t do it alone. Your support – whether through funding, partnerships, or spreading awareness – helps us continue this crucial work. Donate today and be part of a movement that is shaping the future of domestic abuse response in healthcare.
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Together, we can ensure that no survivor is overlooked and no healthcare professional is unprepared.
