Family violence prevention and continuing professional development

11/08/2025

Late last year, the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) issued a Joint Position on Family Violence downloadwhich was developed with other regulatory partners: Ahpra, the National Boards, the Health Care Complaints Commission and the Office of the Health Ombudsman.

The Statement recognises the role health practitioners have in family violence by outlining the clear public interest in health professionals being trusted not only to identify possible family violence but also to respond appropriately.

Health professionals may actually be the first point of contact for anyone experiencing such violence. They can detect signs in those at risk, either colleagues or patients.  They can also provide assistance and support, including encouraging the victims/survivors to seek further help.

This is fully in line with their role in ensuring the protection of the public by identifying and responding appropriately. They may thus prevent further harm and encourage those involved to seek help.

There are also legal obligations. Health practitioners are legally required to report other health practitioners who have behaved in a way that amounts to notifiable conduct and place the public at risk of harm. Health practitioners must also comply with mandatory reporting of known or suspected child abuse and neglect.

But responding to situations of family violence in the context of oral health practice needs to be done carefully, sensitively and with respect.

Health practitioners could gain information and tools to enable them to play this kind of role through continuing professional development (CPD). This would be in line with CPD addressing current clinical and professional issues.

The Dental Board of Australia’s (the Board) open_in_newCPD registration standard open_in_newrequires practitioners to complete a minimum of 60 hours in a three-year CPD cycle. While 80% is specified as being scientific or clinical, a maximum of 12 hours is described as non-scientific content.

The Board’s Guidelines on continuing professional developmentopen_in_new describe the non-scientific hours as being supportive of dental care. It names practice management, personal finance or marketing. The activities must contribute to your knowledge, skills and performance of oral health care. Given the priority in the Joint Statement, CPD in preventing family violence seems relevant.

There are a variety of organisations offering information about family violence prevention and some of these are listed below. An internet search will also reveal other sources/providers in this area.  They can include in-person or online workshops and seminars along with webinars. There are varying time commitments.

• DV-alertopen_in_new: a free nationally recognised training programme run by Lifeline for health, allied health and essential workers.
• Family violence foundations:open_in_new Safe and Equal self-paced course for professionals
• 1800RESPECT:open_in_new more than just a referral line, it also offers webinars and information about training
• NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence:open_in_new has both face-to-face and virtual courses.

These courses can provide information on the underlying causes of family violence and amplify the role of health professionals in intervention, whether passive or active. They can also outline ways to create an environment of safe disclosure.

Such courses can educate participants in the skill set to be used in risk assessment, referral to specialist agencies and safety planning. Many use a “Trauma-Informed Approach” which recognises the impact not only on the survivor but also on a wider network of family and friends.

The Australian Dental Association Ltd also has a Dental Files podcast “open_in_newClinician’s perceptions of domestic violence routine screening in public dentistry”open_in_new for its members.  This is not a CPD course, but it provides invaluable information and suggests other resources.

Given the importance attached to the joint position/statement that family violence is unacceptable, CPD can help professionals play their essential role in detection, support, referral and delivery of specialised treatment to those experiencing family violence.