Country SA PHN Newsletter April 2025
Domestic Family and Sexual Violence
This article includes discussion of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence which some people may find disturbing.
As we head into beautiful autumnal weather across much of country South Australia, I would like to acknowledge those farmers and broader communities who are impacted by the lack of rain we continue to experience. It is a tough time and has significant flow on effects for many in our state. Please be reminded of the support phone and online services Country SA PHN commissions for country South Australia: Medicare Mental Health Phone Service 1800 595 212, Regional Access 1300 032 186 or the Regional Access website where you can access online support. Country SA PHN also commissions walk in mental health support services through the Medicare Mental Health Centres in Mount Gambier, Port Pirie and Mount Barker, Lifeline Connect Centres in Port Pirie and Clare. Additional support services can be found here.
There are many reasons people reach out to mental health support services. One of which is Family Domestic Sexual Violence (FDSV). It is deeply disturbing that across Australia FDSV is common. As well as the immediate harm this causes it has a significant and traumatic impact for individuals, families and in particular children.
Mission Australia defines domestic and family violence as: “Involve(ing) abusive and violent behaviour towards a partner, former partner or family member. It extends beyond physical violence, and can involve actions that control, humiliate or scare the other person or people in the household.”
“National statistics help us understand the gravity of the situation, albeit many victims of domestic and family violence never report their experience. With many incidents going unreported, domestic and family violence may be much worse than we think.”
The Australian Institute Health and Wellbeing statistics from 2018 demonstrate that one in six women and one in 16 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner in Australia. View the Domestic and Family Violence statistics on the Mission Australia website.
In South Australia at the end of 2023 there were six deaths within weeks, each linked to alleged domestic and family violence.
Following strong expressions of public opinion, input from service providers and key stake holders, Premier Malinauskas committed to a $3 million Royal Commission to respond to this crisis. Former politician Natasha Stott-Despoja was appointed as the SA Domestic and Family Violence Royal Commissioner and her final report is expected in July 2025. However, some findings have already been made public including some realities of the extent and nature of FDSV in South Australia.
ABC News reported that the commission heard SA Police responds to 100 domestic incidents and issues nine intervention orders on average every day.
It heard more than a quarter of Australian children experience some form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, and that 44 per cent (almost half) of young Australians have been exposed to, traumatised and impacted by FDSV.
General practice and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) can often be a safe space for people to discuss their FDSV experiences and to seek help. As the first port of call this requires health professionals’ awareness, education and understanding. Uniquely tailored responses and supports are needed to address crisis situations, and to provide survival and recovery pathways.
Country SA PHN, Adelaide PHN and SA Health have developed a suite of HealthPathways for South Australian health professionals to help them support people experiencing FDSV: FDSV pathways.
In the 2022-2023 federal budget additional funding for Supporting the Primary Care Sector Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence pilot was announced.
Country SA PHN in partnership with Adelaide PHN, was funded and tasked to take a statewide approach to a FDSV pilot project. Its objectives are to:
- Support primary health care providers to implement a model of support to assist in the early identification and intervention of FDSV, and coordinate referrals to support services.
- Increase the capacity and capability of the primary care workforce to better care for victims-survivors of FDSV and persons living with FDSV.
- Improve the primary care system integration with the broader FDSV service response system and health service navigation for victims-survivors of sexual violence.
In the first half of 2024, extensive consultations were undertaken as part of a formal needs assessment. Following this, two South Australian pilot sites were selected through a structured prioritisation process:
- Northern Adelaide
- Whyalla and Port Augusta
A collaborative design process then followed, engaging people with lived experience, including those at even higher risk, from diverse, marginalised and rural and remote communities, alongside representatives from the primary care and FDSV sectors.
As such, Country SA PHN is seeking expressions of interest from general practices and ACCHOs across the Port Augusta and Whyalla regions for the Supporting the Primary Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence pilot project.
The project will run until 30 June 2027 and identified practices/ACCHOs will be able to access targeted and specialised online training tailored to alert and educate clinicians and all staff, as well as create a dedicated triage, referral, and support service as a pivotal high risk response network. You can find more information and apply here. Applications close 11:59pm (ACST) on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
As Country SA PHN CEO I am proud that through the Supporting the Primary Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Pilot Project we are taking action with and for our communities in our sphere of influence in country South Australia. I encourage general practices and ACCHOs across the Port Augusta and Whyalla regions to become involved in this pilot project as we all strive to support individuals impacted by FDSV.
Published on: April 8, 2025
Last updated on: April 9, 2025
