Family violence and child safety project
Where to find this service
Where to find this service
What we do
We are training our staff in how to best respond to disclosures of family violence. Hospitals are well placed to identify family violence before it gets to crisis stage where police and other authorities are involved and can therefore provide a gateway to specialist support services, located either internally or externally through family violence agencies.
Family violence is a serious health issue which has profound physical and psychological impacts. An early intervention response can prevent serious harm and death to those vulnerable or at risk It is also an efficient way to manage because providing early intervention means less hospital presentations.
Family violence includes any of the following:
- is physical or sexual abusive
- is emotional or psychological abusive
- is economical abusive
- is threatening or coercive or dominating behaviour
- causes fear
This definition also includes behaviour that causes a child to witness or hear or otherwise be exposed to the effects of family violence. If you think you fall into any of these categories, we can offer you guidance to assist you in contacting the appropriate services.
The position of this Health Service is that family violence in any form is NOT ACCEPTABLE.