Since 2014, the Victorian Government has funded the Royal Women’s Hospital and Bendigo Health to lead the development and implementation of a whole-of-hospital approach to identify and respond to family violence experienced by patients and staff.
Family violence is a health issue. It can happen across the lifespan and impact on the physical, psychological and social health and wellbeing of a person.
The Strengthening Hospitals Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) program is now operational across 88 Victorian hospitals and health services, and successfully delivers on recommendation 95 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. To date, a total of 54,737 staff have received SHRFV training, approximately 41 per cent of the Victorian hospital workforce.
To further raise awareness of family violence, SHRFV health services led a range of activities to promote the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. This international campaign is led by the World Health Organisation, and aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
At Mercy Health, the SHRFV project team showcased ‘Trees of Hope,’ with leaves containing key messages about family violence for staff to read and share with colleagues, families and friends. Staff forums, with presentations from local specialist family violence services, were held at Werribee Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women.
For further information about SHRFV please visit the Royal Women’s Hospital website.
By Mercy Health.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Mercy Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
