Monitoring Victoria’s family violence reforms: Early identification of family violence within universal services

• Monitoring context

  The role of the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, our monitoring approach for 2021–2022, and stakeholders consulted for this topic

• Foreword

  The Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, Jan Shuard PSM, introduces the topic.

• Introduction

  This report examines the Victorian Government's progress in supporting universal services to identify and respond to family violence and planning for the subsequent increase in identification.

• Key findings and suggested actions

  Key findings and suggested actions to support family violence identification within universal services

• What did the Royal Commission say and what has changed since?

  Following the Royal Commission, the Victorian Government has formalised the role of universal services through major reforms such as MARAM and the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme

• Building Capacity

  Concerted efforts have been made to build the capacity of universal health and education workforces to identify family violence

• Planning and Modelling

  There are areas of planning and modelling that could be strengthened

• Support in the workplace

  There is recognition that staff identifying family violence, particularly those with lived experience, need dedicated support from their workplace

• Implementation challenges

  A number of implementation challenges were raised that will need to be considered in the ongoing implementation effort

• Additional barriers for certain cohorts

  Certain cohorts face additional barriers to having family violence identified by universal services

• Access to services

  There is variability in access to services after family violence has been identified

• Secondary consultations

  A clear model for secondary consultations would improve coordination and consistency

• Ongoing monitoring

  Ongoing monitoring of reform progress and impact is essential

• Family violence services and support

  Support if you have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing assistance

• Victim survivor acknowledgement

  We acknowledge the impact of family violence on individuals, families and communities, and the strength and resilience of the children and adults who have, and are still, experiencing family violence

• Aboriginal acknowledgement

  We acknowledge the ongoing leadership role of the Aboriginal community in addressing and preventing family violence and join with our First Peoples to eliminate family violence from all communities.

• Glossary

  Glossary of relevant terms and abbreviations

Updated 10 May 2022