New resources for clinicians to support people who have experienced Abuse and Assault

Information on this article may be triggering to some readers. If you need support, please call either:

• 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
• Lifeline (24 hours): 131 114

HealthPathways South Australia (HPSA) has been working with South Australian experts to develop a range of pathways and resources to support clinicians working with people experiencing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. 

Four new pathways have recently been published, including; Strangulation and other forms of Asphyxiation, Sexual Assault, Emergency Contraception and Trauma Informed Care.

A person subjected to strangulation, can suffer serious immediate as well as ‘hidden’ ongoing health concerns. In order to provide a clearer understanding of strangulation, its associated risks, and to inform decision making regarding assessment, management and appropriate referral options, HPSA developed the Strangulation and other forms of Asphyxiation clinical pathway. 

Dr Suzi Pedler (GP Clinical Editor, Adelaide PHN) has this to say about the pathway: 

‘The Strangulation and Other Forms of Asphyxiation Pathway equips health providers with SA Health guidelines regarding screening, assessment and management when strangulation or asphyxiation is suspected or disclosed. The pathway raises awareness about this common event which can be easily missed when there is no visible injury or because many patients are reluctant to disclose unless asked directly. Resources include a standardised assessment form and flowchart to guide management depending on modality of asphyxiation, time since event, symptoms, signs, patient age and associated pregnancy.’   

Sexual assault is a serious offence, and one which may be disclosed to health professionals when working with patients. It is reported that 20 % of women and 5.1% of men have experienced sexual assault since the age of 15.2 

The sexual assault pathway aims to support clinicians to deal with the consequences that their patients may experience following sexual assault. These may include immediate and short term psychosocial and physical health consequences. 

'The Pathway contains helpful information for GPs and other health providers responding to disclosures of sexual assault or when this is a possible cause of unexplained injuries, infection or pregnancy which may have occurred during incapacitation. Resources include trauma-informed interview techniques, guidelines for examination, emergency contraception, safety planning, medical photography, options and timeframes for collection and preservation of forensic evidence, circumstances requiring mandatory reporting and forensic medical considerations when pregnancy results from rape.’   Suggests Dr Pedler

Two further resources, also recently developed, which may be useful to clinicians include, Emergency Contraception and Trauma Informed Care, joining others previously launched in 2024: 

• Termination of Pregnancy (TOP)
•  Domestic and Family Violence
• Clinician Health - Caring for Colleagues
• Clinician Health - Self-care

More pathways are in-development and will be released in 2025. 

Find all you need to know, here:  southaustralia.communityhealthpathways.org 

For more information on Adelaide PHNs  Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) project and activities visit Family, Domestic & Sexual Violence | Adelaide PHN

HealthPathways SA is a partnership between SA Health, Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN  

 

References 

1 Management of non fatal strangulation. RACGP; 2022, November. 

2. Personal Safety, Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics; 2023 Mar 15. 

20 November 2024