Addressing the Intersection of MS and DVA

Published on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, this week, our project team's article "Hiding in Plain Sight: MS and Domestic Violence and Abuse", authored by Rachel Horne and Helen Ford, was published in NeurologyLive. The article explores a critical issue: the heightened risk of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to domestic violence and abuse (DVA).

The authors discuss the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges associated with MS, highlighting how DVA may go unnoticed or unreported due to the similarity between its effects and MS symptoms, making it challenging to identify cases of abuse. Additionally, the article features a powerful survivor's story, shedding light on the real-life impact of this issue.

Horne and Ford emphasise the importance of healthcare professionals in recognising signs of domestic violence and creating supportive environments for patients to disclose their experiences. The article also underscores the need for tailored support services to address the unique challenges that MS patients in abusive relationships face. For more insights into this critical topic, read the full article, "Hiding in Plain Sight: MS and Domestic Violence and Abuse."