Trauma-informed primary care response to sexual assault and intimate partner violence
When a patient presents following sexual assault – particularly in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) – the health response must prioritise safety, dignity, and autonomy above all else. Victim-survivors of IPV often live under coercion, fear, and threats of retribution, and disclosures regarding sexual health can be weaponised by abusive partners.
New Specialist Service Supports Primary Care Response to Family and Sexual Violence in Tasmania
A new pilot initiative is underway in Tasmania to improve how General Practices and Aboriginal Health Services respond to family violence, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse. The service is being delivered by Engender Equality (family violence service) in partnership with Laurel House (sexual assault service – North and North West) and the Sexual Assault Support Service (sexual assault service – South). This program is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.