Before I go to the Sunshine State I'll be completing Family Safety Advocate Training @TheRMH, to become certified. I'll share some things I learn throughout the day, so you too can learn the signs of family violence, and how to talk to those who are going through this ordeal.

Family violence is any behaviour designed to cause fear. It refers to any person you have a kinship with (i.e. family member, housemate, husband). Intimate partner violence is the same but refers to a de facto partner or less serious relationship. Both are serious issues.

Family violence is Victoria's number 1 policing issue.

A child is a victim of family violence if they see, hear or are exposed to the effects of it.

Aboriginal women are 35x more likely to be hospitalised by family violence and 11 times more likely to die as a result of family violence. Shocking.

There is a huge reluctance by Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander women to involve police in family violence matters.

Emergency room presentations for family violence related injuries increased 35.5% for patients under 18 years old in the second quarter of 2020 from the same time period in 2019.

It shouldn't be "Why doesn't she leave?" - it should be "Why does he still abuse her?"

This is a great resource on how to start a conversation on family violence with your patient. Some of these things can extend to loved ones you are concerned about.

The absolute worst.