Help for GPs to spot violence
Doctors are being urged to be more watchful for possible signs of domestic violence, such as women with hidden bruises or children being aggressive, wetting their bed or being cruel to animals.
Experts say the classic depiction of family violence - a black eye - is only the tip of the iceberg. New guidelines have been developed to help WA GPs discuss domestic violence, including advice about taking photos of bruises in case they are needed as evidence if charges are laid.
The toolkit, released for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, was developed in NSW and adapted by the Women's Law Centre of WA.
Research shows the average full-time GP sees up to five women a week who have been physically or verbally abused by a partner in the previous year.
The toolkit provides advice on issues including note-taking for legal purposes, mandatory reporting, caring for patients who are the perpetrator or having both partners as patients.
Centre spokeswoman Heidi Guldbaek said one woman died in Australia every week at the hands of a current or former partner. Women were at greater risk of violence during pregnancy or after separation.
"These fatalities are preventable," she said. "Women often try to reach out to other people but often we don't know the signs or how to appropriately respond.
"We, therefore, become complicit in perpetuating violence by unknowingly communicating to women that if they disclose their situation to someone, they will not be believed or helped."
Ms Guldbaek said people often questioned why women in violent situations did not leave. But this failed to hold perpetrators accountable or recognise how they often concealed or made the violence seem mutual, essentially blaming the victim.
Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Gannon said the resource would help GPs tackle a subject that was still considered taboo by some.
"Domestic violence doesn't discriminate according to income, race, religion or gender, and even pregnant women are at risk," he said. "It's an important and complex part of general practice."
