Coordinate the development of a family violence learning agenda for medical practitioners

Implemented

Who is leading the change

Department of Health and Human Services

The Chief Psychiatrist - in consultation with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and psychologists’ peak bodies - coordinate the development of a family violence learning agenda that includes:

undergraduate and graduate training in relation to family violence
continuing professional development in relation to family violence
guidance on appropriate responses to people with mental illness who have also suffered family violence

The Department of Health and Human Services has coordinated the development of a joint statement between the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatry and the Royal Australian College of General Practice.

The statement outlines a commitment to an ongoing family violence learning agenda that is in line with the Family Violence Capability Framework developed by Family Safety Victoria, which applies to each organisation.

The statement is available online.
The joint statement has been finalised and is available on the website of the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist.

This work links with the Mental Health Workforce Strategy, released in July 2016. It outlines how a skilled, appropriate and accessible mental health workforce is supported.

The family violence learning agenda considers the impacts of family violence on the mental health of victim survivors, including the impact on children as victims and witnesses. It also considers the role of mental health clinicians can play when working with perpetrators of family violence.

Updated 17 September 2020