Family violence partnership
The partnership between the Central Hume health services of Yarrawonga Health alongside Alpine Health, Benalla Health, Mansfield District Hospital and Northeast Health Wangaratta to implement the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence model of care, recognises the serious impact family violence has in effecting the health and wellbeing of our communities.
These groups commit to working together in partnership to better recognise and address this unacceptable threat to the health of local and broader communities.
Each hospital recognises that family violence across the life span is a complex and serious community issue, most commonly experienced by women and their children.
It has both immediate and long-term impacts on the physical, psychological and social health and wellbeing of those affected.
As local health services, they are in a unique position to identify people at risk, sensitively enquire if help can be sought and make referrals to specialist family violence services if required.
By doing so, these health providers will help to reduce the incidence of family violence and its impact on individuals, families, the community and the health system.
Staff will be supported both professionally and personally in relation to family violence to ensure their wellbeing and safety.
The vision is a future where the community is free from family violence and where healthy, respectful relationships between women and men are the norm.
As a health service partnership, these services can make a significant contribution to achieving this vision and contribute to changing behaviours and community attitudes through clinical practices, education and advocacy programs.