Helping Victims of Domestic Violence

A new approach to domestic and family violence is being rolled out across NSW that involves giving doctors greater powers to help victims.

The Safer Pathway program is part of ‘It Stops Here: Standing Together to End Domestic and Family Violence’, the NSW Government’s new reform framework for domestic and family violence.

Safer Pathway creates a streamlined referral route for victims who are considered to be “at threat” or “at serious threat” by bringing together local representatives, including police, Family and Community Services and local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services.

If a GP believes that a patient’s life or safety is at serious risk of harm they can make a referral under the scheme without patient consent. Victims will then receive a phone call with an offer of coordinated support from a range of services including:

• counselling
• housing
• financial assistance
• legal assistance
• court advocacy
• security and safety upgrades
• safety planning.

This streamlined approach allows the right services to be provided in a coordinated way to victims, and saves victims from having to repeat their story many times to different support organisations.

According to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Pru Goward, having the ability to refer patients to Safer Pathway means that GPs can provide victims with support when they need it the most.

“Many domestic violence victims do not report the violence they are experiencing to police or other specialist services, but they do seek medical attention and help from their GPs,” she explained.

The Safer Pathway program is due to be rolled out across the whole of NSW by 2018/19.

Contact Us

Domestic violence of any kind is very difficult to deal with, but at Szabo & Associates, Solicitors we have many years of experience and know how to help our clients out of difficult situations. If you need experienced and empathetic solicitors we are here to help! Contact us on (02) 9281-5088 to speak with our experienced Family and Divorce Lawyer or fill in our online contact form.

Sources:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/gps-to-refer-patients-to-domestic-violence-support/

http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/violence_prevention/It_Stops_Here_Safer_Pathway