The NSW Health routine screening for domestic violence program

Joanne M. Spangaro

doi:10.1071/NB07063

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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The NSW Health routine screening for domestic violence program

Joanne M. Spangaro

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales

^B Email: j.spangaro@student.unsw.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 18(6) 86-89 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB07063
Published: 25 July 2007

Abstract

Routine questioning of women about abuse by their intimate partner has been progressively introduced in NSW in antenatal, early childhood, alcohol and other drug and mental health services since 2001. This was done because of the serious health consequences of domestic violence and the low identification rate of abuse by health services. Following a pilot that found strong support from female patients, this strategy is now well established in NSW public health services. Recent data indicate that approximately 10 000 women a month are asked these questions and that 7.3% of them report experiences of physical abuse or fear caused by their partner or ex-partner within the past 12 months.

Acknowledgements

The input of Gwen Cosier, Primary Health and Community Partnerships Branch, NSW Department of Health who has produced each of the three one-month data snapshot reports is acknowledged. Thanks also go to Professor Anthony Zwi and Dr Ros Poulos, project supervisors, for their input. Funding for the current project is provided by the Australian Research Council and NSW Health.

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