Supporting an effective primary care response to family, domestic and sexual violence

Primary health care providers are critical in recognising family,
domestic and sexual violence, creating safety for disclosure
and activating support services.

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Family, domestic and sexual violence is a significant public health issue across Australia, with inter-generational consequences for physical and mental health.

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32, WA Primary Health Alliance has been successful in its application for two grants to support an effective primary health care response to FDSV.

Two pilot programs will be conducted over three years in locations selected by the Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care.

Working with local stakeholders, WAPHA will adapt a national model for integrating general practice care with the broader service response. This project will be underpinned by a partnership approach that learns from lived experience and established organisations with expertise in the FDSV service response.

In Perth South PHN, the program will focus on supporting the primary care sector response, and in Country WA PHN, the pilot will focus on supporting recovery using a new model of trauma informed care.

This will involve working with key stakeholders like FDSV service providers, peak advisory bodies and people with lived experience to enhance the capability of the general practice team to identify patients and families being affected by FDSV connect them to vital FDSV services.

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Project Activity Lead: Rosanne Logie
Rosanne.Logie@wapha.org.au
08 6272 4927

WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges the individual and collective expertise of people with a lived or living experience of family and domestic sexual violence. 

Need help?

If you find yourself in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, contact emergency services on 000.

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Individuals can also access local support services and search the internet using Daisy, a free app developed by 1800RESPECT that protects user privacy.

1800RESPECT Daisy

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Further information about the pilots

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Supporting Primary Care PHN FDSV Pilot

The national PHN Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Pilot is an expansion of a model developed by Brisbane South PHN that builds on existing pilots that are being expanded in:

A range of interests were represented in the design process, including Aboriginal communities and women with lived experience. An independent evaluation by the Sax Institute has recently been published and supports the expansion of the program.

The integrated response model comprises six influencing activities that support primary care to take up a defined role in the systemic response to domestic and family violence.

The first grant, Supporting the Primary Care Response to FDSV pilot relates to the Early Intervention domain of the National Plan with an aim to facilitate an improved, integrated primary care response to FDSV in the Armadale region and surrounds, in collaboration with the State Government’s new Family and Domestic Violence One-Stop hub in Armadale. WAPHA will commission a ‘system integrator’ to support general practices, delivering workforce capacity building activities and facilitating innovation to overcome barriers to integrated patient care.

Supporting Recovery PHN FDSV Pilot

The second grant, Supporting Recovery from FDSV pilot will be implemented in one or more regions of our Country WA PHN. This pilot relates to the Recovery and Healing domain of the National Plan. A draft service model has been developed by a national expert reference group and incorporates a small care team and long-term, trauma-informed therapies for up to two years per individual. The service must be embedded within an existing service.

Integrated response model

The integrated response model comprises six influencing activities that support primary care to take up a defined role in the systemic response to domestic and family violence.

 

FAQs
What is family, domestic and sexual violence?
How common is family, domestic and sexual violence?
What drives violence against women?
Why is WA Primary Health Alliance expanding its scope into this area?

It is estimated that on average, a GP may see up to five women and/or children a week who are experiencing the impact of FDSV, and many of these will not be receiving or seeking support directly for FDSV. It is important that GPs and all practice staff are equipped to “Recognise, Respond and Refer” in a safe and effective way.

Under the new National Plan, Primary Health Networks (PHNs) have been allocated a specific role, reflecting a recent policy recognition of the role of primary care in an effective, integrated response for people experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV).

The two grant rounds under which WA Primary Health Alliance is funded were open only to PHNs.

What expertise will support to decision making for this project?

Subject matter experts and key stakeholders consulted during the application phase were supportive of WAPHA’s proposed role in these pilot programs.

Throughout the project, WAPHA will maintain established central advisory relationships with the WA Department of Communities Office for Prevention of Family Violence and the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing.

Design workshops will be held with key stakeholders to inform the design of activities, and an action research approach will be adopted to incorporate learnings as we progress.

Key Updates
Family, domestic and sexual violence grant to support primary health care response

23 Aug 2023

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has been awarded two grants to support an effective primary health care response to family, domestic and sexual violence.

Read more

New support for family, domestic and sexual violence survivors

24 Aug 2023

Read the media release from The Hon Mark Butler MP Minister for Health and Aged Care.

Read more

Disclaimer

While the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.