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.
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.
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.
Armadale in Perth South PHN has already been selected through analysis of need indicators and the opportunity to connect practices with the new family and domestic violence One-Stop-Hub funded by the WA Department of Communities.
Over three years, WAPHA will support selected general practices and commission a system integration service, designed in consultation with general practice and local services. Education and quality improvement activities will promote skills and confidence for all members of the practice team in caring for patients experiencing family, domestic and/or sexual violence.
Work in the Country WA PHN will focus on implementing a new model of trauma-informed, recovery care for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence.
Developed by an expert panel on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the model will incorporate a ‘no wrong door approach’ to local care co-ordination and therapeutic services that will be embedded in existing services. This will provide free trauma-informed psychological care for up to two years for each individual.
WAPHA CEO, Learne Durrington, said family, domestic and sexual violence is a significant public health issue across Australia, with inter-generational consequences for physical and mental health.
“It’s time to tackle this issue. All levels of governments are on in strong agreement about this, with significant investment being made across the spectrum of prevention to recovery.”
General practice and community services have an important role to play in identification and referral to specialised treatment and support for adults and young people who suffer the consequences of family, domestic and sexual violence, whether it be physical, sexual, or emotional.
“In recognition of the health impacts of violence, and the opportunities in general practice to recognise and address it early, PHNs such as ours are being asked to play a role in enabling these groups to respond effectively,” Ms Durrington said.
“WAPHA will work closely with stakeholders to understand the current local care environment and target our investment appropriately. We know that understanding cross-cultural differences is a key part of the solution, and this will be a focus, as we refine the model.”
We encourage interested parties to seek updates on the FDSV project page.
Further information about the pilot
The national PHN Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Pilot is an expansion of a model developed by Brisbane South PHN in partnership with The Australian Centre of Social Innovation through an evidence-based, human-centred design process. 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.
These activities have been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.
Helplines:
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
These activities have been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.
Helplines:
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.