Improving responses to domestic, family and sexual violence in health settings

Queensland Health has updated DFV tools and resources to improve the understanding and capacity of health professionals, particularly frontline health clinicians, to respond to victim-survivors and those at risk of DFV and intimate partner sexual violence in public health settings. This includes development of updated training and resources related to persons using violence, non-fatal strangulation and other forms of intimate partner violence.

Queensland Health developed and released a new DFV Capability Framework (the Framework) to support a more proactive, considered, and consistent response to DFV across Hospital and Health Services, based on consideration of what is needed to support disclosures or suspicions across different operating contexts. The Framework provides clear guidance about the DFV knowledge and training requirements for all staff to build capability in responding to DFV. The Framework is for internal use and has been distributed for implementation and reference across all Hospital and Health Services and within the department.

Further resources will be developed and released throughout 2025.