The Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) model was developed to support a consistent, system-wide approach to identifying and responding to family violence in healthcare settings. It is now being implemented across public hospitals throughout Victoria.
To support this work, a suite of evidence-informed tools and resources has been developed to help hospitals embed the SHRFV model into everyday practice. This includes the introduction of two key roles: Clinical Champions and Contact Officer, which are being adopted by health services across the state.
These roles work in parallel to strengthen both clinical responses to family violence and internal staff support. Clinical Champions focus on improving patient care by embedding trauma-informed, person-centred practices, while Contact Officers provide confidential support to staff impacted by family violence. Together, they help ensure that Victorian hospitals are safe, supportive environments for both patients and staff.
Clinical Champions
Clinical Champions are health professionals — such as nurses, midwives, doctors, social workers and allied health staff — who advocate for and lead improvements in family violence response within their clinical area. They:
- Promote awareness and understanding of family violence across the health service.
- Support colleagues to apply best practice guidelines, including those outlined in the SHRFV model.
- Provide peer-to-peer coaching and secondary consultations.
- Assist with safety planning, documentation and referrals.
- Contribute to policy development and quality improvement initiatives.
- Help embed trauma-informed and culturally safe practices.
- Participate in training and evaluation activities to strengthen hospital-wide responses.
Champions may be clinical or non-clinical staff and are often embedded within high-risk areas such as maternity, emergency, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
Contact Officers
Contact Officers are trained staff members — often from human resources or people and culture teams — who provide confidential, impartial support to colleagues affected by family or domestic violence. They:
- Offer information about workplace entitlements, including family violence leave and flexible work arrangements.
- Assist with safety planning and referrals to internal and external support services.
- Provide guidance on organisational policies and procedures.
- Maintain privacy and professional boundaries.
- Collaborate with managers, HR and SHRFV teams to ensure staff wellbeing is prioritised.
- Contribute to a respectful and supportive workplace culture.
Contact Officers are not counsellors or decision-makers, but they are a safe and neutral point of contact for staff seeking support.
Eligibility
Clinical Champions may include:
- Registered clinical staff with an interest in trauma-informed care.
- Individuals respected by peers and able to influence practice.
- Staff willing to undertake SHRFV training and ongoing development.
- Employees who can commit time to championing SHRFV alongside clinical duties.
Contact Officers may include:
- Clinical or non-clinical staff trained or willing to be trained in staff support.
- Individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Team members familiar with organisational policies and referral pathways.
- Staff who uphold privacy and promote a respectful workplace culture.
Training and support
Both roles are supported by SHRFV training and resources, including:
- MARAM-aligned training modules.
- Workplace support policies and procedures.
- Peer supervision and professional development opportunities.
- Access to SHRFV project teams and external family violence specialists.
Training is tailored to each role and health service context, with options for online, in-person and peer-led learning.
Contact
For more information or to get involved:
SHRFV at the Women’s
P: (03) 8345 3083
P: (03) 8345 2804
E: SHRFV@thewomens.org.au