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About the initiative
This initiative is part of a range of measures under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.
The Pilot is a 2022-23 Budget Measure to support victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV), including child sexual abuse, to navigate the health system.
We funded:
- Twelve PHN regions to support primary care providers in the early identification and intervention of FDSV, including child sexual abuse in 11 regions, and coordinate referrals to support services.
- We also provided funding to evaluate the pilot.
- the University of Melbourne – Safer Families Consortium to prepare and present a national training program – the Readiness Program. The program aims to help primary health care providers better recognise and respond to those experiencing family and domestic violence.
Why it is important
Primary care is often the first point of contact for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence. It is important for primary care workers to be trained in how to better recognise and respond to family and domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, so victim-survivors get the help they need.
Goals
The initiative aims to build the capability of primary care to identify, respond and refer victim-survivors of FDSV.
Meeting our goals
Our PHNs:
- provide training and resources to help primary care practices better respond to family and domestic violence, sexual violence and child sexual abuse
- help local health and service provider networks to integrate with existing services to better coordinate services and improve the quality of support
- work with primary care to meet the needs of communities including victim-survivors
- provide clear referral pathways to other specialist services like family and domestic support services.
Who we work with
The pilot operates in 12 PHN regions, these are:
- ACT PHN (Capital Health Network)
- Adelaide PHN (with Country SA PHN)
- Brisbane South PHN (QLD)
- Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (NSW)
- Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN (NSW)
- Nepean Blue Mountains PHN (NSW)
- Northern Territory PHN
- North Western Melbourne PHN (VIC)*
- Perth South PHN (WA Primary Health Alliance).
- Tasmania PHN (Primary Health Tasmania)
- Western Victoria PHN (VIC).
* Pilot focusses on family and domestic violence only.
Status
The pilot is a 2022–23 Budget Measure that aims to improve the ability of the primary care workforce to recognise and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV), increase referrals to specialist services, enhance collaboration between health and support sectors, and ensure equitable, effective support for all victim-survivors.
Additional funding to continue the pilot for another two years was announced in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2025–26. This will extend the pilot until 30 June 2028.
The Sax Institute (sub-contracted through Mary Haines consulting) has conducted an evaluation of this phase of the pilot. The Interim Evaluation Report has been produced.
The original pilot ran from 2019 to 2022 and supported primary care services to better recognise and respond to family and domestic violence. The Sax Institute evaluated the pilot and produced a final report on its findings. A review and update of Abuse and Violence – Working with our patients in general practice (the White Book) was also conducted at that time.
The Safer Families Centre is funded to provide primary care practice-centred training until February 2026.
The pilot ran from 2019 to 2022 and supported primary care services to better recognise and respond to family and domestic violence. The Sax Institute evaluated the pilot and produced a final report on its findings. As part of the 2022–23 budget the Australian Government funded the extension and expansion of the pilot.
The Safer Families Centre is providing primary care practice-centred training until February 2026 .
Learn more
Read the Sax Institute’s Interim Evaluation Report on the current pilot program:
Read the Sax Institute’s final evaluation report on the original pilot of 6 PHNs (from 2019 to 2022)
Contact
