Veteran community access to family and domestic violence services and supports

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) website and internal resources have been reviewed to ensure information about services and supports is current. DVA and the Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner have worked to advocate for veteran families to reduce barriers to service eligibility through internal mechanisms and in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external stakeholders. For example, through the Intimate Partner Violence Community of Practice chaired by RSL LifeCare Veterans Services. This Community of Practice closed July 2024.

In addition, DVA has conducted reviews and updated relevant policies. The DVA Education Schemes policy was updated to ensure victim-survivors can obtain fairer outcomes and maintain their safety and economic security following family separation. It also supports and empowers choices to seek safety, and facilitates better outcomes for veteran families, particularly in FDV situations. For more information on this policy see Education schemes.

The policy guidelines for the Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package were also updated. The updates removed barriers for accessing this program where eligible persons may be FDV victim/survivors. They also ensured vulnerable veteran families who may be eligible for the package are able to continue to access it. For more information on this policy see Acute Support Package.

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (Open Arms), continues to provide free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support 24/7 to veterans and families. Open Arms may also be able to assist with supporting veteran families to access appropriate FDV support services.

In 2025-2026, Open Arms is preparing a project to develop a best-practice risk identification and assessment protocol for FDV.