New approach aims to improve domestic abuse support in Northamptonshire mental health services
The DREAMS project offers guidance to help staff identify and support survivors of domestic abuse
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Leicester have introduced 'The Detecting and Responding Effectively to Domestic Abuse in Mental Health Settings or – DREAMS – project to better equip mental health staff in identifying and supporting individuals experiencing domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse significantly impacts mental health, yet often goes undetected within mental health services due to staff lacking confidence in addressing it.
Dr. Kate Walker, Research Associate at NHFT, explained, "Domestic abuse is highly prevalent among people who use mental health services, but it often remains hidden and unsupported,
“Despite national guidance, staff don’t always ask about it — and when people do disclose, responses can vary widely.”
The DREAMS project which launched in 2023, involved surveys, interviews, and focus groups with mental health professionals and survivors in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire to identify barriers to effective response efforts.
Dr Walker added: “Because many professionals have limited training, they often don’t feel confident asking about abuse or managing a disclosure. There’s a real fear around how to respond, and our research shows that staff confidence and preparedness are absolutely essential.”
In Northamptonshire, 17,572 domestic abuse related incidents and crimes were recorded in the year ending March 2025
Findings revealed that conversations about abuse often don't occur due to limited training, with survivors emphasising the need for safe, trusting environments to facilitate disclosure.
Dr Emma Sleith explained: “With more asking about domestic abuse, hopefully having that impact on disclosure and referral, that we have survivors who are more earlier identified in terms of their experiences of violence, that they feel safe in their disclosures and then they get the right support that they need at the right time.”
In Northamptonshire, domestic abuse accounted for 17% of all recorded crimes in the year ending March 2025
The project offers healthcare staff clear guidance on recognising signs of abuse, safely discussing them, and providing support based on survivors’ needs.
Dr. Emma Sleath, Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Leicester, emphasised, "There are huge sensitivities around this area. Survivor experiences are central to our research, which should improve support outcomes."
Next steps involve testing the DREAMS project's methods in NHS mental health services through a pilot study, assessing how well it works in real settings before wider application.
Dr. Walker highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, saying, "We co-produced the approach with professionals and survivors, ensuring their voices were heard throughout."
By evaluating its impact through pilot studies and pursuing a full clinical trial, the project aims to shape national policy and improve practice across mental health services.
Dr Emma Sleith explained: “What’s incredibly important about this research is the impact it can have for survivors in the future.
''Our hope is that this framework will be adopted in practice and ultimately scaled up across NHS services.”
For more information about the DREAMS project visit the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) website and for support or to report domestic abuse visit Victim Support's website or by phoning 08 08 16 89 111