New family violence intervention tool

The Ministry of Health has released an updated guideline to help guide health professionals confronted with suspected cases of family violence.

The new six-step process includes the identification of actual or suspected abuse, validation and support, health and risk assessment, safety planning, referral and follow up, and documentation.


A new six-step process released by the Ministry of Health recently will help guide health professionals confronted with suspected cases of family violence.

It builds on the Violence Intervention Programme run by district health boards across the country and part of the Government's approach to addressing family violence and protecting vulnerable children.

Tauranga Women's Refuge manager Angela Warren-Clark believes the updated guideline will help solidify health professionals' response to family violence.

'The VIP programme has been in place since 2002 and this updated process certainly provides very good guidance around what to do and how to do it.

'It is absolutely important agencies and organisations in the health sector have this information readily available and that there's consistent training around the nature and type of this work.”

Tauranga Women's Refuge, along with Shakti, police and other various agencies, work closely with the BOPDHB to provide training around family violence, as well as providing support.

Angela says over the years Tauranga Hospital's Emergency Department has been very proactive in making contact with the refuge concerning possible cases of family violence, 'which has been really appropriate intervention”.

'It would be my hope this new process is rolled out across the entire DHB and those who are identifying domestic violence are able to routinely refer to Tauranga Women's Refuge, Child, Youth and Family, or police for immediate assistance.

'Tauranga Women's Refuge enjoys a close relationship with the DHB and we hope with this updated process this relationship will strengthen further,” says Angela.

Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the updated guideline is based on agreed expert opinion, research and clinical experience.

He explains the health sector works closely with social sector agencies, and at the end of June 2015 there were over 12,100 notifications of concern from the health sector to Child, Youth and Family.

'Abuse of any kind is not okay. We know that being a victim or witnessing abuse can be linked to serious health problems,” says Jonathan.

'Our dedicated health workforce are often on the frontline dealing with family violence. It's important that there is a standardised approach across hospital settings to ensure families get the support they need when they need it.”

To read the updated Family Violence Assessment and Intervention Guideline – child abuse and intimate partner violence visit the Ministry of Health website at: www.health.govt.nz

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2 comments

Handcuffs and jail better

Posted on 23-06-2016 15:25 | By BullShtAlert

Instead of PC nonsense about tools, how about locking up the real tools?


The best tool...

Posted on 23-06-2016 23:27 | By morepork

... for dealing with bullies is a bigger bully. BullShtAlert stated succinctly what most people are thinking. As a community, we need to show that family violence is off the table, and that violence of any kind is NOT a preferred solution.


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