Your GP Can Be a Safe Place to Seek Support

Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is supporting the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign. This global campaign runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through to 10 December, which is Human Rights Day.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said the campaign provides the opportunity to talk about the prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence, and to highlight the support services available to those affected, as well as their friends, family and colleagues. Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner, while 1 in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report that for the outer west and Blue Mountains regions, there were 1,723 reported domestic violence related assaults from July 2023 to June 2024. While these figures are alarming, they are likely to be even higher, as many women may not report assaults to police. Wentworth Healthcare provides a program called Care and Connect, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care. The program supports primary healthcare professionals, like GPs, working in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas to identify the signs and respond appropriately to patients who may be impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, including child sexual abuse.

“Research shows that in some cases, GPs can be the first point of contact for victim-survivors. Through the Care and Connect Program, we are increasing the knowledge and resources GPs and other primary healthcare professionals have access to, in order to better support victim-survivors,” she said.

Ms Reay explained the program provides training for healthcare professionals, including GPs, practice nurses, practice staff and others, and connects them with Care and Connect Linkers, provided by Relationships Australia NSW, to help them and victim-survivors navigate often complex systems. 

Read full release