New service to help Tasmanian GPs respond to patients experiencing family and sexual violence

Tasmanians experiencing family violence often make their first disclosure to their doctor. This new service will help GPs connect them with the right support.

Women often make their first disclosure of family violence to their doctor. Photo: iStock. Generic image.

A new pilot program to assist GPs and medical practice staff in identifying and supporting patients experiencing family and sexual violence will be rolled out across Tasmania this week.

The free service, commissioned by Primary Health Tasmania under federal government funding, brings together Engender Equality, Laurel House, and the Sexual Assault Support Service to support practice staff in the next steps of their patient’s care.

With the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey revealing 28% of Tasmanian women have experienced sexual or intimate partner violence, the initiative aims to streamline access to dedicated support.

Primary Health Tasmania Acting CEO Susan Powell said women often make their first disclosure of family violence to their doctor.

“Research shows one in five women make their first disclosure of family violence to their GP, so it’s important they know how best to respond,” she said.

“It will also help them refer their patients to specialist services, increasing the likelihood of victim-survivors receiving the support they need as quickly as possible.”

Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas. Picture: Kenji Sato

Chief executive at Engender Equality Alina Thomas said bringing the different services together will give GPs access to an unrivalled depth of specialist knowledge in family, domestic and sexual violence, and child sexual abuse.

“This primary care pilot is a significant step towards achieving that vision by integrating our expertise with primary care providers across Tasmania,” she said.

“We will be reaching out to all general practices and Aboriginal medical services around the state to introduce the service and explain how they can connect with it,”

“Together, we will provide comprehensive support to GPs who in turn will be able help victim-survivors and their families navigate confronting and complex situations.”

Laurel House CEO Kathryn Fordyce said it was crucial to engage with rural and remote communities to combat family, domestic and sexual violence, and child sexual abuse.

“General practices and Aboriginal medical services play a pivotal role in this effort, as they are often the first point of contact for victim-survivors in these areas,” she said.

“As well as having specialist staff based in each region of Tasmania, this new service will be available by phone and online – meaning no practice will miss out on support, no matter where they are based.”

SASS CEO Shirleyann Varney said the initiative was about “creating safer and more supportive environments for everyone”.

“Through this pilot, we aim to build stronger relationships with primary care providers, ensuring victim survivors receive timely, specialist, and trauma-informed support,” she said.

Primary Health Tasmania said they were also in the process of commissioning training to equip Tasmanian GPs with the skills to effectively recognise, and respond to cases of family, domestic and sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

Tasmanian medical practices will be able to contact the service for advice from May 6.

For crisis assistance please contact the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT or Tasmania’s Sexual Assault Support Line on 1800MYSUPPORT.

Originally published as New service to help Tasmanian GPs respond to patients experiencing family and sexual violence