Ballarat Health Services staff are being trained to spot the signs of family violence and offer help as part of a statewide initiative.
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Victorian Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams announced new funding on Monday to help train health workers throughout Victoria.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 includes a $7.8 million boost to Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence initiative.
Family violence is a health issue.
- Simone Meade, Ballarat Health Services
To date, 100 Ballarat Health Services managers and supervisors have completed Family Violence Workplace Response Training to increase their confidence in supporting employees impacted by family violence.
In addition, 300 clinical staff and students have completed Identifying and Responding to Family Violence Training to provide skills and tools to identify family violence, enquire sensitively, respond appropriately and know where to refer consumers who are at risk of, or are experiencing family violence.
Ballarat Health Services Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence Initiative regional engagement coordinator Simone Meade said training and education would continue to be delivered throughout 2019/20 with an aim to provide training to 80 percent of the health service's clinical workforce.
"Family violence is a health issue," she said.
"As a health service we are well placed to create a safe and trusted environment where our clinicians can engage in sensitive conversations with patients and connect people with specialist services as required."
Watch the video about Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence below.
Four Ballarat Health Services staff attended the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence forum in Bendigo on Monday, that discussed ways to improve responses to patients experiencing family violence and embed the program into everyday care.
Victorian Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams said on Monday family violence was a national crisis.
"We need the whole community's help in preventing violence and providing help for victims - this program means healthcare workers can play a vital role," she said.
One woman murdered is at the hands of a current or former partner every week. Family violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44.
The state government is investing $38.4 million over five years to deliver the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence initiative, in response to recommendation 95 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Ballarat Health Services is supporting Stawell Regional Health, Eastern Grampians Health Services, Beaufort Skipton Health Service, Maryborough District Health Service, Hepburn Health Service and Ballan District Health and Care to implement the initiative.
The next Family Violence Workplace Response training in the Ballarat region will be held at Hepburn Health Service in Daylesford on July 23.
Visit familyviolenceisahealthissue.com.au/ for more information.
If you would like to talk to someone about your situation, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
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