The mental health impacts of domestic abuse fall even heavier on survivors and victims belonging to marginalized groups. Both LGBT+ and disabled domestic abuse victims are around twice as likely to have attempted suicide and are at further risk of self harm. Similarly, victims of HBV (honour-based violence) are particularly vulnerable to self-harm and suicide - and just under a quarter were not eligible for most benefits like housing, further adding instability and stress.

The Current Situation

Despite the relationship between domestic abuse and mental health problems, a SafeLives report found that mental health services are not equipped to respond properly to domestic abuse; SafeLives estimated that only 10-30% of mental health cases linked to domestic abuse are actually identified as being related to domestic abuse. A UK study found that only 15% of professionals routinely asked all service users about domestic violence, and just 27% provided information to service users following a disclosure of domestic abuse.

As well as affecting the likelihood of being recognised as a domestic abuse victim, having mental health problems can create barriers in reaching out for support. Many survivors fear they will be treated badly or disbelieved by professionals if they disclose their mental health diagnosis, adding more obstacles to an already incredibly difficult path towards reaching out for help.