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Details

Type: In-person
29 Mar, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (AEDT)

Contact

For more information:
Email: Kerrianne Singleton
Call: 03 8699 0468

Price

RACGP Members: Free for Members
Non-Members: Free

Free registration

A Safe Space: Empowering GPs to Support Families Affected by Violence

In-person 29 Mar, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (AEDT)

A Safe Space: Empowering GPs to Support Families Affected by Violence
Saturday 29th March 2025 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | RACV, Melbourne

As trusted healthcare professionals, General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing family violence. This full-day event is designed to equip GPs with the essential tools, knowledge, and resources to effectively identify, respond to, and support families affected by violence, all while maintaining a compassionate, trauma-informed approach.

The event features an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, including Rosie Batty, renowned family violence advocate, Ian Freckleton KC, a leading expert in family violence law, Dr Bill Liley from Violence Prevention Australia and Dr Chelsea Tobin, CEO of Safe Steps. These distinguished speakers will share their invaluable insights and perspectives on the complexities of family violence and its impact on victims.

Event Information:
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Venue:
RACV - Level 17 (entire floor)
501 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understanding Family Violence
    GPs will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various forms of family violence, its impact on individuals and communities, and the challenges faced by victims. This knowledge will enable GPs to provide informed, sensitive care to affected patients.
  2. Practical Skills for Recognition and Response
    Participants will be equipped with practical skills for recognising the signs of family violence, responding appropriately to disclosures, and using trauma-informed practices to manage cases. This includes learning how to conduct risk assessments and respond to high-risk situations effectively.
  3. Legal and Ethical Considerations
    The event will cover GPs’ legal responsibilities when dealing with family violence cases, including the importance of documentation, reporting, and understanding relevant frameworks such as MARAM. GPs will leave with the tools to navigate the legal landscape confidently.
  4. Building Collaborative Networks
    Collaboration with domestic violence services and community resources is key to providing holistic care. The event will emphasise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, helping GPs connect with appropriate support services for their patients.
  5. Self-Care and Managing Vicarious Trauma
    Working with families affected by violence can take an emotional toll. This event will focus on strategies for GPs to maintain their well-being and resilience, ensuring they can continue to provide high-quality care without sacrificing their own mental health.
  6. Patient-Centered Care
    A core theme of the event is integrating survivor perspectives into clinical practice. GPs will learn how to create a safe, supportive space for patients to disclose their experiences and ensure that their care is centred on the patient’s needs.
  7. Networking and Resource Sharing
    Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow GPs, share experiences, and gain access to valuable resources that can help enhance their practice and improve patient outcomes.
Featured Topics and Sessions:
  • Recognising and Responding to Family Violence
  • Trauma-Informed Care Approaches
  • Legal Perspectives on Family Violence
  • Risk Management and High-Risk Situations
  • GP Self-Care and Managing Vicarious Trauma
  • Collaboration with Domestic Violence Services
  • Pathways to Violence Prevention
Panel Discussion:
The event will conclude with a Panel Q&A, where experts from various fields, including addiction, cardiology, and obstetrics, will answer questions and provide practical insights into dealing with family violence in diverse clinical settings.

Join us for this empowering event that will help you make a difference in the lives of families affected by violence.

Learning outcomes

  1. Identify the signs of family violence in clinical practice and apply appropriate response strategies to provide immediate support to patients, using the principles of confidentiality and sensitivity.
  2. Explain the core principles of trauma-informed care and integrate these principles into their clinical practice, ensuring that patient interactions are empathetic, non-judgmental, and focused on safety and trust-building.
  3. Assess their legal responsibilities and obligations when managing family violence cases, including the documentation and reporting requirements in line with relevant frameworks such as MARAM.
  4. Apply risk assessment tools to evaluate high-risk situations related to family violence and determine appropriate interventions, including referral to support services and ongoing monitoring, to ensure patient safety.
  5. Implement self-care strategies to manage vicarious trauma, maintaining their mental health and professional resilience while providing care to patients affected by family violence.
  6. Collaborate effectively with domestic violence support services by identifying referral pathways and establishing communication protocols to ensure a coordinated and holistic response to family violence.
  7. Describe the key strategies for violence prevention in healthcare settings and implement preventative measures in their practice to reduce the risk of family violence and support long-term safety for patients.
Educational
Activities
5.5
hours
Measuring
Outcomes
0
hours
Reviewing
Performance
2.0
hours

Facilitators

Dr Cathy Andronis
Chair, RACGP Specific Interests Psychological Medicine

Dr Cathy Andronis works as a GP and psychotherapist in inner Melbourne. She is the current chair of the RACGP Specific Interest faculty in Psychological Medicine, and a keen advocate for mental health in primary care. Cathy is a clinical member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy, a medical educator at Monash and Deakin Universities, and provider of clinical supervision, trainer in Focussed Psychological Strategies and a facilitator of case consultation groups with RACGP and ASPM.

Dr Susan Barnett
General Practitioner Psychotherapist | Medical Educator | Advocate for Emotional Wellbeing

Dr Susan Barnett is a highly experienced GP Psychotherapist who has dedicated her career to supporting individuals, couples, and families in navigating life’s complexities. With a holistic approach that integrates the mind and body, Susan brings her extensive experience as a GP since 2003, combined with her specialized training in Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) completed in 2014, to provide practical, empathetic, and evidence-based care. Dr Barnett holds a special interest in eating disorder management and is ANZAED credentialed, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space for clients to explore challenges and foster emotional growth. Her therapeutic work focuses on helping clients connect with their inner wisdom and compassion, empowering them to reduce suffering and build stronger, healthier relationships. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr Barnett is a respected leader in medical education. She is the Education Chair and Vice President for the Australian Society for Psychological Medicine (ASPM), where she plays a key role in advancing psychological education for GPs.

Dr Anne Saunders
Chair - RACGP Victoria AOD Committee

Dr Anne Saunders is a dedicated and experienced General Practitioner with a rich background in both emergency medicine and primary care. Originally from Melbourne's inner east, Dr Anne began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne before pursuing her medical degree at Flinders University in South Australia. After returning to Melbourne, she honed her skills working at Southern Health and St. Vincent’s hospitals, where she trained extensively in emergency medicine. This foundation has provided her with a robust approach to managing acute and chronic conditions in general practice. Dr Anne's areas of clinical interest include musculoskeletal medicine, family medicine, women’s health, fertility management, and family planning. She is deeply committed to delivering holistic and compassionate care to her patients, supporting their health and well-being across all life stages. In addition to her clinical work, Dr Anne contributes to the broader medical community as a GP Consultant in Emergency at Austin Health and serves as the Chair of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Subcommittee with the RACGP Victoria Faculty.

A/Prof Jennifer Neil
GP and Educator with The University of Melbourne and Monash University

A/Prof Jennifer Neil is a clinician, educator and researcher in primary care and family violence. Jennifer graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2003 and achieved her Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She is the Curriculum and Assessment Lead for General Practice at Monash University and has led the development of a trauma-informed medical education approach. Jennifer has trained hundreds of health professionals across Australia in family violence, authored multiple curricula and has co-authored two chapters and a supplementary chapter in the Royal Australian College of General Practice ‘White Book’ Guideline on abuse and violence. She has also contributed to the RACGP ‘Red Book’ guideline on preventive health. She is the deputy chair of the RACGP specific interest group on abuse and violence in families and the secretary for WONCA (World Family Doctor Organization) Special Interest Group on Family Violence Steering Committee.

Speakers

Rosie Batty
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Luke B atty Foundation | Inaugural Chair of the Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council in Victoria

Rosie Batty’s life was forever changed when her 11-year-old son, Luke, was tragically killed by his father. Despite the overwhelming grief, Rosie turned her personal tragedy into a relentless crusade against domestic violence, becoming a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. From the moment she publicly spoke out after her son’s death, Rosie has given a voice to countless victims of domestic violence. As the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Government’s Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council, she ensured that victims were at the heart of policy decisions following Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including Australian of the Year, the Pride of Australia National Courage Medal, and the Order of Australia. Rosie has also been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, named one of the world’s top 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine, and voted the most influential person in the not-for-profit sector by Pro Bono Australia—twice. Rosie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast for her work in raising national awareness on family violence. More than just a survivor, Rosie’s legacy lies in her ability to inspire others, empowering them to confront darkness and find strength in resilience. She is a leader, champion, and symbol of hope for a safer, more compassionate future.

Dr Bill Liley
Co-founder, Managing Director of Violence Prevention Australia

Dr Bill Liley is a distinguished expert in trauma-informed care and violence prevention, with extensive experience in primary care. He is a dedicated practitioner and advocate for integrating positive and strengths-based approaches into clinical practice, aiming to create safer and more supportive environments for both patients and healthcare providers. Dr Liley is renowned for his work on "The Cooktown – 10," a pioneering model that exemplifies trauma-informed primary care in Australia. His innovative framework has made significant strides in making prevention opportunities more accessible and practical for practitioners. With a deep commitment to education and systemic change, Dr Liley frequently speaks at conferences and webinars, sharing his insights and strategies for addressing violence and its harms in clinical settings. His expertise spans a broad range of topics, including the pathogenesis of violence, diagnostic dilemmas in primary care, and the application of trauma-informed principles to enhance patient outcomes. Dr Liley's work is grounded in a belief that primary care, when delivered through a trauma-informed lens, is most effective in supporting individuals and communities. His contributions to the field are widely recognised, making him a leading voice in violence prevention and trauma-informed practice.

Dr Ian Freckelton
AO KC

Dr Ian Freckelton KC is a distinguished barrister with a diverse practice spanning administrative, disciplinary, criminal, commercial, and human rights law. Renowned for his strategic advocacy and meticulous preparation, he represents individuals and institutions in high-profile cases, including Royal Commissions, coronial inquests, and inquiries. With expertise in health law and expert evidence, Dr. Freckelton’s career spans over three decades, both across Australia and internationally. He has also served as a part-time judge in Nauru, handling judicial reviews and appeals. A prolific author, Dr Freckelton has written over 50 books and 750 articles on evidence law, health law, and public health policy. He is the founding editor of the Journal of Law and Medicine and Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. As a Professor at the University of Melbourne and adjunct academic at multiple universities, he focuses on mental health law, health regulation, and the intersection of law and medicine. Dr Freckelton holds fellowships in several prestigious academies and has held leadership roles in key legal inquiries. His achievements have earned him recognition in Doyle’s Guide and Best Lawyers. A committed public servant, he has been instrumental in advancing integrity in government, medicinal cannabis regulation, and mental health law reform, delivering over 800 global presentations to diverse audiences.

Dr Chelsea Tobin
CEO - Safe Steps

Having excelled in senior executive roles across both the profit and not for profit sector, Chelsea has a wealth of experience leading and empowering teams to deliver large scale socially and commercially impactful outcomes. Drawing from her lifelong commitment to social justice, award-winning PhD and proven ability to grow and sustain business and organisations, Chelsea is continuing to reach across sectors, forging partnerships, exerting influence and leading sustainable, profitable and socially impactful change. She has rapidly applied her 15 years of experience as a Director in business strategy and consulting at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, her multiple executive roles across sectors and her strong background in research, as evidenced by her award-winning PhD in economics and psychology. Chelsea and her husband have been foster carers for many years, experiencing first-hand the impact of family violence on young lives and the importance of multi-faceted and long-term responses to both repair and empower. Chelsea is a strong advocate for social justice, with the proven ability, energy and passion to work in partnership to empower communities and create lasting social change

Disclaimer

  1. The RACGP reserves the right and has sole discretion for any reason and at any time to:
  1. Change the date, location, format, timing and/or any other aspect of an event;
  2. Postpone Events in full or any part of those Events; and/or
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