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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Implement self-care strategies to manage vicarious trauma, maintaining their mental health and professional resilience while providing care to patients affected by family violence.
- 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.
- 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