A training program has been launched to help GPs deal with rising rates of domestic and family violence that have been fuelled by the pandemic.
The Safer Families Centre at University of Melbourne has unveiled its Pathways to Safety – The Readiness Program, a national domestic and family violence (DFV) training program for health practitioners, in response to the dramatic increase in the number of incidents of domestic and family violence during the pandemic, as Australians were forced into isolation together thanks to lockdowns.
Domestic violence surged so much that a study by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) of 15,000 women found increases of domestic violence experienced by Australian women during the first three months of the pandemic, and a survey of 166 practitioners undertaken by a team at Monash University found that 59 per cent reported an increase in the frequency and severity of family violence[1].
Additionally, of the practitioners they surveyed, 42% reported an increase in clients seeking assistance for their first experience of domestic violence.
Dr Ramya Raman, a practising GP in Perth’s outer metropolitan area and chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs in WA, said it was something that she had seen first-hand in patients.
“We’ve seen increasing numbers of women and children… With our current situation with COVID, the isolation as well as the lockdowns that we have experienced because of the pandemic – not being able to see and engage and reach out to family – has made it very challenging for people in a domestic violence situation: it tends to aggravate it, particularly not being able to help in a timely way,” Dr Raman said.
“For example, when we went through lockdowns doctors were offering tele-health appointments and the partner may have been present at home: the patient may not have been able to have the privacy that they need to be able to discuss this with their doctor.
“So, it’s not even in terms of access to an appointment, there is a more nuanced aspect to this.”
General practitioners play an important role in recognising and responding to incidents of DFV: they are the highest professional group disclosed to by current survivors, even more than police, with evidence that at least one in 10 women attending general practice will have experienced DFV, and it is estimated a full-time GP sees up to five unidentified abused women per week.
But while GPs may be able to quickly recommend treatments for the symptoms, they need training in providing appropriate follow up care that helps the victim to deal with the cause: only one third of women who have experienced DFV ever disclose their experience, and concerningly the inquiry rate by practitioners is even lower, between 10-30%.
“Because it’s not something that patients talk about very openly, especially during their first or second consult, and sometimes the person who they are living with may accompany them everywhere they go, we have to try and get opportunities in consults where we can speak to the patient on their own and raise any concerns,” Dr Raman explained.
“It’s not an easy conversation to have with a patient, but the key thing is to emphasise the importance of doing this.
“That’s one of the reasons why there are training programs like The Readiness Program, to help ease that consultation process a little bit more: if we are empowered with more education and resources around how we can ask about this, we can take that next step forward in helping that patient.”
The Readiness Program will help to streamline pathways and reinforce a team approach to recognition and referral with participants receiving accredited in-practice education, tools and support for the whole of practice to effectively identify, respond and refer individuals and families experiencing DFV.
Training is free and delivered as an RACGP CPD accredited activity.
“I would highly recommend this training to GPs and other primary care workers, as well as practice staff in Perth: GPs are perfectly placed to help domestic violence survivors and this training will help to build your skills using a trauma and violence informed approach,” Dr Raman said.
[1]Carrington K, Morley C, Warren S, Ryan V, Ball M, Clarke J, and Vitis L. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Australian domestic and family violence services and their clients. Aust J Soc Issues. 2021;56:539–558.