​Family violence

Family violence is the use of violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour by an individual against a family member, including those in a past or present intimate relationship, or in an extended family network.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Burden of Disease Study 2018 ranked intimate partner violence as the fourth leading risk factor in living with and dying prematurely from a disease or injury for women aged between 15 and 44. In 2022, at least 57 women in Australia were killed by current or former male partners.

In August 2023, the Australian Government Department of Social Services released 2 action plans under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032:

• the First Action Plan 2023-2027 and
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025.

These are aimed at ending family violence within a generation.

 All genders experience family violence, but women and children are affected most often. AIHW research found that in 2021-22 of all people hospitalised due to family violence, 73 per cent were female. Of all people hospitalised because of family violence 63 per cent identified the perpetrator as a spouse or domestic partner, with the remained identifying a parent or other family member.

The role of general practice

General practice plays a vital role in caring for people experiencing family violence. GPs and other primary health service providers are well placed to respond because they see victim-survivors, perpetrators, and children.

Estimates suggest that a full-time GP might see as many as 5 women a week who have experienced partner violence, including some who have experienced severe abuse.

Studies indicate that women are twice as likely to disclose family violence if asked by their GP or a primary care provider. More than one in 5 women make their first disclosure of family violence to a GP.

How you can start the conversation about family violence

Starting the conversation can be challenging, but health professionals are well-placed to do so. With the right tools and supports, they can empower victims to break their silence and seek safety.

Asking is the first step.

Let your patient know they can speak openly to you about their concerns, and that they are in a safe and confidential environment.

Questions could include:

• Is there anything else going on in your life that you’d like to talk about?
• Are your friends and family aware of what’s going on?
• Are you feeling frightened?
• Are you worried about your children’s safety?

Take any opportunity to raise the subject and ask questions. Try to ensure patients feel comfortable and safe talking to you. Consider that perhaps they might feel more comfortable talking to a different staff member and offer that opportunity.

Primary Care Pathways to Safety Program

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is committed to supporting primary care providers to build their confidence and capability to recognise, respond and refer disclosures of family violence.

To achieve this, we are being funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver the Primary Care Pathways to Safety program.

The program, designed in partnership with The Safer Families Centre at the University of Melbourne, provides tailored support to general practices to improve confidence in responding to family violence, boost collaboration, and build greater cohesion and coordination across local health, social care, and family violence services.

After a successful pilot in 2019, NWMPHN is providing training to 30 GP clinics from 2023-2026 with grant funding available.

General practice education and training

• Several organisations offer education and training on identifying and responding to family violence. Visit the NWMPHN events calendar to register for family violence education and training sessions hosted by NWMPHN and partners. For information about upcoming sessions subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter.
  
• Self-directed e-learning modules: 
  • The Readiness Program is a suite of e-learning modules developed by the Safer Families Centre, providing evidence-based knowledge and basic skills on early engagement actions tailored for victim-survivors and their families, as well as people who use family violence. There are 7 modules available. More information.
  • The impact of family and domestic violence on the child is a course developed by National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health and delivered by Emerging Minds. The 1-hour course provides you with an introduction to the impact of family and domestic violence on children. More information.

Quality improvement activities

Our family violence quality improvement (QI) templates are available for general practices to respond to the high prevalence of family violence-related presentations in primary care.

Visit our QI activity hub to download:

• Identifying people at risk of or experiencing family violence
• Increase the confidence of your practice team to identify and respond to family violence

These QI activities may provide GPs with Royal Australian College of General Practitioners continuing professional development (CPD) hours, and support practices eligible for the Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement Incentive.

For more information or to arrange a visit please phone (03) 9347 1188 or email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

Services

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. GPs and health professionals can refer to HealthPathways Melbourne for more clinical and referral advice.