Project Officer: Lisa Maude

Phone: 8752 4902

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Patients disclosing abuse to their local general practitioner will be offered assistance from a domestic violence support worker under a program starting up this year in Canterbury. The program, the result of a partnership of the former Canterbury Division of General Practice and the Domestic Violence Pro-Active Support Service, will help put victims of domestic violence in touch with specialist domestic violence counselling services. These counselors will provide advice safety plans, help people work out their options and provide information.

There are more than 1000 reports of domestic violence in the Canterbury Local Government Area, with reports peaking in the warmer months and holiday weekends. Most victims of domestic violence look for assistance from either their general practitioner or local police. The new program involving general practitioners builds on a similar and highly successful program developed by police and domestic violence services which ensures police put identified victims of domestic violence in touch with local services through the use of a referral card.

The new program is funded by the National Community Crime Prevention Program through a grant to the Domestic Violence Pro-Active Support Service (DVPASS) based in the Sydney Womens Counselling Centre located in Carrington Square, Campsie.

For more information please contact Jenny Ashwood from DVPASS on 9718 1955.

Domestic Violence ProActive Support Service Referral Process
GP Referral Form to Domestic Violence Pro Active Support Service
FAQ for GPs