Investigating the Readiness of Hospital Social Workers to Respond to Domestic and Family Violence

ABSTRACT

Domestic and family violence (DFV) is recognised as a health care priority. Women experiencing DFV use health services at a higher rate than the general population. Hospital social workers are an important component of a public hospital response to domestic and family violence but how prepared are they for this role? This research study explored the readiness of social workers in a Melbourne metropolitan hospital setting to respond to DFV. Results indicated that although the social workers had a knowledge base highly relevant for responding to DFV, many lacked specific knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning, legislative responsibilities, and referral pathways for support, including legal support. As a result, it was likely that they were not adequately responding, either by not recognising when they needed to, or with knowledge and confidence when they did. They also identified a range of organisational enablers, including policy, time, and safe conversation spaces.

IMPLICATIONS

• Hospital social workers have a central role to play in responding to domestic and family violence.

• Hospital social workers need to be better prepared for domestic and family violence responses.

• Social workers require ongoing training and organisational support including practice protocols and guidelines, and the provision of time and private, safe spaces for sensitive conversations to occur.

• Universities should ensure that the role of hospital social workers is considered within curriculum addressing the area of domestic and family violence (DFV).

家暴是健康护理要优先考虑的问题。经历家暴的女性诉诸健康服务机构的频率高于一般人口。公立医院对家暴作出反应，医院社会工作者是其中重要的组成部分。但他们是否为这个角色做好了准备呢？本文考察了墨尔本一家市立医院的社会工作者的情况。尽管社会工作者具备有关家暴的基础知识，但他们对风险评估、安全计划、法律责任、支援（包括法律支援）路径等等缺乏了解。因此，他们 的反应并不到位——要么不知何时作为，要么作为时缺少知识和自信。本文还确定了一系列组织上的促成因素包括政策、时间、安全对话空间等等。

KEYWORDS:

• Hospital Social Work
• Domestic and Family Violence
• Intimate Partner Violence

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Be Kinna; and Susannah Lennon and Amanda May for their contribution in the initial stages of the study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.