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A new evaluation report from the Women’s and the University of Melbourne is calling on hospitals across Australia to take action on family violence and offers a practical roadmap to help them do it.
The report assesses two programs already working in Victorian hospitals, including rural and regional sites, and shows how they can be scaled and adapted to suit healthcare settings across the country.
Why family violence response matters in healthcare
For many victim-survivors, a visit to a hospital, especially during pregnancy, may be the only safe opportunity to disclose abuse. Yet without trained staff, clear protocols, and embedded support systems, these moments can be missed.
The statistics are sobering:
• 1 in 5 women in Australia experience some form of abuse.
• 1 in 10 women experience combined physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
• Only 1 in 10 are ever asked about it by their doctor — yet 1 in 3 disclose when asked.
• Family violence rates are higher in regional and rural communities, where access to support is often limited.
These figures come from research led by Professor Kelsey Hegarty, a leading expert in health-based responses to family violence.
Professor Hegarty is based at the Centre for Family Violence Prevention, a partnership between the Women’s and the University of Melbourne. She has helped shape national frameworks and clinical practice across Australia.
“We know that family violence is more prevalent in regional communities, and that healthcare settings are often the only safe place for disclosure,” says Professor Hegarty. “This evaluation shows that with the right support, even small hospitals can build powerful, sustainable responses. We’re here to help them do that.”
About the programs
The report evaluates two complementary programs designed to embed family violence response into everyday healthcare practice:
• The Clinical Champions Program trains frontline staff (including midwives, nurses, and social workers) to lead education, provide mentorship, and embed family violence screening into routine care. Champions act as local leaders, helping their teams respond confidently and consistently to disclosures of violence.
• The Contact Officer Program offers confidential support to staff experiencing family violence. Contact Officers provide clear information about leave entitlements, workplace safety planning, and referrals to internal and external support services. In regional settings, they play a vital role in ensuring privacy and trust in small communities.
What’s next?
The Women’s has developed a framework and toolkit to support other hospitals in adopting these models. These resources are available via the SHRFV Resource Centre on the Women’s website and are designed to be flexible, scalable, and responsive to local needs.
The report makes it clear: other hospitals don’t need to start from scratch. The tools exist. What’s needed now is leadership, uptake, and a commitment to embedding family violence response as core business in healthcare.
Download the full evaluation report and toolkits here: SHRFV Clinical Champions and Contact Officers | The Royal Women's Hospital