Local general practices helping victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence

Tuesday 25 November marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is a global campaign that runs through to Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is proud to support the campaign and to deliver the Care and Connect Program, funded through Federal Government, that helps victims-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas. 

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research recently reported that in the last financial year, there were over 3,000 Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (DFSV) incidences reported across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that domestic, family and sexual violence can affect anyone regardless of their cultural background or socioeconomic status and a whole of system approach was needed to address the issue.

“An important part of combatting domestic, family and sexual violence is increasing awareness around what it actually is, the signs and symptoms that someone may be experiencing abuse, or could be at risk, and upskilling those who are in a position to help,” explained Ms Reay.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare more than 1 in 5 patients make their first disclosure of domestic and family violence to their general practitioner (GP). Most people visit a GP regularly for various health reasons throughout their lives, creating opportunities for general practice to be a safe place where these issues can be identified or disclosed and where victim-survivors can seek support.

“We believe that general practice and other community-based health services play a crucial role in identifying and addressing these issues as not all victim-survivors can, or will, access specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services. It’s important that we give healthcare professionals at these services the training and the tools to support to respond to patients impacted, as in many cases, these health services may be the first point of contact for victim-survivors,” she said.
 

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