GPs to tackle ugly truth of domestic violence

15 June 2015

GPs will explore the hidden epidemic of family violence and tackle issues including how doctors can identify at risk patients during a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) conference this weekend.

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty will open the two-day conference and presentations will be given by a number of prominent speakers including former Victorian Attorney-General Robert Hulls, Victorian barrister Carolyn Burnside and psychiatrist Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.

“With the theme Broken Mind, Body and Soul: The ugly truth of family violence, the conference will see speakers provide valuable insights from a legal, academic and forensic perspective,” RACGP President Dr Frank R Jones said.

“While most men will never commit an act of violence against a family member, the number of those who do is much higher than many people realise and acknowledging violence against women is the first step towards breaking the silence,” Dr Jones said.

“Collectively as GPs we see more than 80% of Australia’s population each year. We know our patients personally and have conversations, not just consultations.

“This makes us uniquely positioned to identify victims of domestic violence, even those who are not forthcoming about their situation. This is why it is vital GPs and other healthcare professionals are equipped with the skills to protect these vulnerable patients,” Dr Jones said.

The RACGP’s Victoria Faculty Women in General Practice Committee’s conference will include an overview of the RACGP’s White Book on abuse and violence. It will also provide practical information for GPs, with delegates examining the long-term psychological effects of family violence and learning how to handle domestic violence presentations with a forensic approach.

“GPs have a big role to play in stamping out family violence in Australian communities and it’s important we take an evidence-based approach to identify and respond to patients presenting with signs of abuse,” Dr Jones said.

“It is also important GPs understand the nature of violence and abuse and how it can manifest so they can help break what is often an intergenerational cycle. This includes identifying predisposing risk factors, understanding early signs and symptoms and managing the devastating consequences of family violence.”

The RACGP will continue to work with other agencies and those in the community committed to reducing abuse and violence in families.