- Comprehensive family and domestic violence (FDV) education and training is building the capacity of St John WA First Responders to better support victim-survivors
- Paramedics and clinical volunteers are the latest cohort to complete the training, which is the first of its kind across Australia
- The State Government is committed to addressing family and domestic violence
A leading family and domestic violence education and training program for St John WA First Responders has increased capacity for frontline workers to identify and respond to family and domestic violence.
It marks the first ambulance jurisdiction across Australia to deliver targeted family and domestic violence education to emergency responders.
The Cook Government provided $2.1 million for the delivery of the training to build the capacity of St John WA Triple Zero (000) call-takers, frontline paramedics and rural and remote clinical volunteers.
Triple Zero call-takers from the St John WA State Control Centre were among the first cohort to undertake the training in October last year, with training of paramedics and volunteer team members commencing in July.
St John WA has since logged an uptick in reporting of suspected family and domestic violence cases that were not able to be identified by call-takers, with paramedics having increased ability to assess situations in person.
St John WA has partnered with specialist family and domestic violence service provider Stopping Family Violence to co-design and co-deliver the training. The University of Western Australia's Centre for Social Impact will evaluate the project.
The announcement comes during this year's 16 Days in WA campaign to end family and domestic violence.
People experiencing family and domestic violence can call the Women's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 007 339, or Men's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 000 599, or the National Helpline 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"Western Australia's First Responders do an incredible job supporting people who are experiencing family and domestic violence.
"The Cook Government recognises the importance of ensuring our First Responders receive targeted family and domestic violence training.
"I recently visited a group of St John WA paramedics receiving the training and heard firsthand how valuable it had been.
"The 16 Days in WA theme for 2024 is 'Play your part', and St John WA's Triple Zero call-takers, paramedics, and volunteers are certainly playing theirs.
"I encourage all Western Australians to consider how they can also play their part to help stop family and domestic violence before it starts."
As stated by Health and Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Family and domestic violence is a scourge on our community, and it is up to all of us to do our bit to support victim-survivors and call out abuse.
"Our healthcare workers, including paramedics and Triple Zero call-takers, are on the frontline of this fight, all too often encountering suspected cases of family and domestic violence.
"I thank St John WA and their dedicated staff for embracing this important training, which is already helping to identify more cases of concern, and for their commitment to assisting victim-survivors."
