The Australian Government is investing $4.3 million for a new program to ensure that victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence or child sexual abuse in the ACT can get better support.
The Supporting Primary Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FSDV) Pilot will be run out of the Capital Health Network (CHN) and will ensure ACT GPs and allied health professionals are equipped to identify and respond to FSDV. This pilot program involves training primary care staff to recognise, respond to and refer victim‑survivors to specialist services. It also includes 'linker' positions: staff to help with referrals.
One in three women in Australia has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence.
The pilot is being launched this morning in Canberra by the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, the Hon Justine Elliot MP and the Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP.
The new Family Safety Team will be based in the CHN to support the pilot. Dr Anita Hutchison, who has lived and clinical experience, has provided advice and input.
The program builds on family and domestic violence pilots run recently in six Primary Health Networks across three states. Other areas of Australia will follow shortly, with at least one pilot in each state and territory.
Existing pilots in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Victoria will continue with a new broader focus of sexual violence, including child sexual abuse.
The program is one of a range of Commonwealth government measures to support the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
The government provided $48.7 million in the 2022-23 Budget over four years for the issue. The funding is for increased support to primary care providers to help them identify and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP:
"Australians are rightly shocked by the ongoing violence against women. It must end.
"GPs are often the first point of contact for victim-survivors, but many are not equipped to support these women. This pilot will help change that.
"As a nurse I know having more primary healthcare workers who can recognise signs of violence and abuse and who know where to refer people will make a big difference to people's recoveries and their future lives."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot MP:
"We know that primary care workers can often be the first point of contact for victim-survivors of violence, so it's vital that staff are equipped to provide support in a trauma-informed way.
"This program here in Canberra will help us to better design services going forward, so that everyone engaging with our health system can access comprehensive support to recover from the impacts of violence."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher:
"Domestic, family and sexual violence is unacceptable and affects all too many women and children.
"This pilot is one of the many initiatives the Government has funded through our significant investment in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32, and will make an important difference in the lives of women and children across Canberra."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP:
"Canberra GPs are seeing a high volume of patients experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence and I'm pleased that our Government is launching this pilot to support them to best support their patients.
"Local GP Dr Anita Hutchison has been a powerful advocate for ending violence against women and her advice and support will make this pilot as successful as possible."
Quotes attributable to Yvette Berry MLA, ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence:
"This is great news. Health care workers are often a safe place for people experiencing violence. They are on the front line, and it's great to see government equip these workers with the skills they need to support women experiencing violence. Together with the ACT's existing training program for hospital workers, this program will make a real difference to women and families in Canberra."
Quotes attributable to Dr Anita Hutchinson, GP Advisor, Family Safety Program, CHN:
"With a link worker, warm referrals can be made, inclusion criteria can be explored and wait lists can be ascertained. It helps to keep that person safe and validate their experience whilst giving real time support. To fill the gaps.'
