UK Safeguarding Minister Admits DASH Tool Fails Victims Amid NHS Response and Justice System Concerns

UK Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has acknowledged that the main domestic abuse screening tool, known as DASH, used to determine which victims receive urgent support, is ineffective. This admission highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and support for domestic abuse victims. Experts have also criticized the National Health Service (NHS) for failing to adequately respond to domestic abuse, describing it as a 'public health emergency' that requires urgent improvement. Additional reports have raised issues about systemic failures in the justice system during the COVID-19 pandemic, with allegations of a 'closed loop of impunity.' Furthermore, media and parliamentary investigations have highlighted distressing experiences of women undergoing outpatient procedures such as hysteroscopies and coil fittings, prompting calls for better patient care and support.