Supporting Those Who Support Others: Can We Do More for Carers Experiencing Abuse?
Caring for someone you love is demanding. Often unpaid and largely invisible, the work of carers is essential—but it can also take a heavy toll. Now, imagine carrying that responsibility while also living with abuse.
A new study by Emilie K. Wildman, Hannah Dickson, Deirdre MacManus, Sally McManus, Elizabeth Kuipers, and Juliana Onwumere reveals a stark reality: carers exposed to domestic violence and abuse are more than twice as likely to experience depression, chronic pain, and disrupted sleep compared to those not living with abuse.
A Hidden Health Crisis
This is not a marginal issue. It is a hidden health crisis, sitting at the intersection of caregiving, inequality, and violence. Too often, carers’ needs remain unseen and their suffering unacknowledged. The physical and emotional burden they carry is compounded when abuse is part of their daily lives.
Evidence Offers Hope
The study also points toward solutions. Evidence shows that embedding domestic abuse screening into routine health and social care can transform outcomes. Recognising the dual burden carers face is the first step toward breaking cycles of harm and creating safer, healthier systems of support.
Aligning With Our Mission
This research aligns with our mission at Collective Action for Race Equity in Health and Social Care, which is to centre carers’ lived experiences and dismantle structural barriers that perpetuate harm. By understanding and responding to the complex challenges carers face, we can help build care systems that are inclusive, supportive, and effective.
📖 Read the full study here: Health Morbidities in Carers with Experience of Domestic Violence and Abuse
