The 15 NSW Health Professional Councils and the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) have worked collaboratively with other Australian health practitioner regulators to develop a Joint Statement that sends a clear message that family violence is unacceptable.

The Joint Statement on Family Violence by Regulators of Health Practitioners sets out a unified commitment and makes clear expectations regarding health practitioner behaviour.

Health practitioners are often the first point of contact for people experiencing family violence. They have a vital role to play in the early detection, support, referral, and delivery of specialised treatment of those experiencing family violence.

Health practitioners’ conduct must reflect the trust and confidence that the public place in them for safe healthcare. When we become aware of health practitioners perpetrating family violence, they may face regulatory action.

The Joint Statement is a collaboration between the NSW Councils and the HPCA, working together with Ahpra and the National Boards, the Office of the Health Ombudsman and the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission.

We would like to thank members of the National Lived Experience Advisory Council for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence for providing us with valuable feedback about this Joint Position on Family Violence.

Please click the links to read the Joint Statement, an Easy Read versionand Media Release.

The Joint Statement is being released during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It commenced on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day – highlighting that violence against women is a breach of human rights worldwide.