The Victorian Agency for Health Information (VAHI) has released the first ever population-representative report on family violence in Victoria. Family violence in Victoria: findings of the Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 is now available via the Better Safer Care website.
The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS), conducted annually since 2001, provides comprehensive and reliable information about the physical, mental and social health of the Victorian population. The findings from the survey play a key role in informing policy development and strategic planning across government and the wider community.
The first of its kind report in Victoria delivers insights based on the responses of 33,654 randomly selected adults aged 18 years or older to five questions included for the first time in the 2017 VPHS. The survey investigates the prevalence of family violence, who experienced family violence, the frequency of its occurrence, the type of family violence experienced, the services accessed in response to family violence and the knowledge of the general population about where to get outside advice or support for family violence.
The report was produced in the wake of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which completed its work in 2016 and made 227 recommendations. The purpose of the royal commission was to find solutions to prevent family violence, better support victim survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. Over time, the data collected via the surveys and reported by VAHI will contribute to the evidence on the impact and effectiveness of these recommendations.
The questions on family violence in the attached report will also be included in the upcoming 2020 VPHS, which will provide a picture of changes over time, particularly in regard to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family violence.
If you would like more information, please contact Alison Markwick, Senior Epidemiologist with VAHI via alison.markwick@vahi.vic.gov.au.