Get to know local and national specialist support services and hear from an expert panel on ways you can develop your practice to recognise, respond, refer and record incidents of domestic and family violence.
Domestic violence is a serious problem which impacts many NSW families. Every month, there are approximately 2,500 reports of domestic violence to the police, but this likely represents only 40% of actual incidents due to underreporting. (NCOSS,2020)
Join Healthy North Coast online on Wednesday 22 June at 6:30pm to learn more about domestic violence, how to recognise it, how to respond to it, how to refer and how to record information.
Domestic Violence Webinar – Recognising, Responding, Referring and Recording
Wednesday 22 June 2022
6:30pm – 8:30pm
The role of primary healthcare providers
Primary health care providers play a vital role in caring for people experiencing domestic and family violence. It is estimated that a full-time GP sees up to five women per week experiencing underlying intimate partner violence, however 9 out of 10 women have never been asked about this by a GP. Research has also found that there is a spike in family violence during major crises and disasters.
‘Whether you’re a GP, GP registrar, nurse, allied health practitioner, social worker or student, we could all benefit from discussions around domestic and family violence,’ said Jenna Bamborough-Lahey, Coordinator Psychosocial Support at Healthy North Coast.
‘Primary healthcare providers can support patients experiencing violence and abuse, by strengthening their own abilities to respond, while also managing any health-related consequences. Early conversations, support and recording of information can make a big difference in reducing barriers to care for people experiencing violence and abuse, and it’s important that we all feel comfortable to participate in the discussion.’
About the webinar
This webinar invites a panel to discuss:
- what is domestic and family violence?
- warning signs and how to recognise domestic and family violence and risks
- ways to actively listen, respond and empower the victim (insights and reflections)
- how to build on your standard charter of principles to improve the safety of your environment
- services and resources to refer victims, and tools for supporting change of action (understanding ‘choice’).
It will use a series of short video snippets to:
- discuss the nature, prevalence, and impact of domestic and family violence
- reflect on and develop your practice in responding to domestic and family violence and related forms of adversity, including recognising signs of abuse
- identify how and when to ask about domestic violence issues, as well as assess the level of risk and safety of patients experiencing domestic and family violence
- explain ways to record information and take notes for legal purposes
- affirm and share your charter of principles to support first-line response
- get to know local and national specialist support services and coordination points to better understand how to refer patients as part of the ‘Safer Pathway’.
Facilitator: Jenna Bamborough-Lahey, Coordinator Psychosocial Support, Healthy North Coast
Panel
Sal Dennis, Director, Insight Exchange
Sal is a member of the NSW Attorney General’s Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council and is known for her strategic and purposeful approach to reframing safety planning as victim-centred. Insight Exchange is designed to inform and strengthen social, service and systemic responses to domestic and family violence.
Dr Kathy Kramer, General Practitioner and Forensic Specialist
Kathy is a GP at Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre and is the Medical Governance Director of the Mid North Coast Sexual Assault and Child Protection Service. She is the clinical advisor for sexual assault to the NSW Ministry of Health and a forensic physician specialising in adult and child sexual abuse.
Sarah Dahlenburg, Assistant Principal Solicitor, Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre
Sarah has a special interest in domestic violence and medico-legal issues and the rights and responsibilities of doctors and patients in law. Through the Centre, Sarah provides free legal advice, information, referral, and advocacy for people living in the Mid North Coast region.
Brooke Maggs, Domestic Violence Prevention Specialist, Liberty DFV Services
As a facilitator and domestic violence prevention specialist, Brooke works to create safe spaces to have courageous conversations that shift perceptions, build empathy and change behaviour. Brooke delivers tailored domestic violence prevention programs including Everybody’s Business, Mentors In Violence Prevention and Love Bites, a respectful relationships program for high school students.
This webinar will be delivered via LiveWebinar. Register now to receive a link to join and please share this event with your colleagues.
Useful resources:
HealthPathways is a web-based portal designed to support primary care. The portal provides access to clinical management pathways and referral advice into local health services. Mid and North Coast HealthPathways for domestic and family violence include:
Domestic and Family Violence Psychosocial Support
Acute Domestic and Family Violence Referrals
Domestic and Family Abuse and Violence (DFAV)
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d
The Readiness Program is developed and delivered by the Safer Families Consortium and is a national training program for primary care providers to effectively recognise, respond, refer and record domestic and family violence using a trauma and violence informed approach.