Overview

In Australia, one in six women and one in 25 men experience sexual assault. With the high prevalence of sexual violence, many psychologists will see clients who have been victims of sexual assault. Although few women disclose experiences of sexual violence, research shows that four in ten will seek advice from a health professional, including psychologists.

Psychologists are uniquely positioned to ask patients about violence, validate their experiences, provide trauma informed care and facilitate support. However, many do not feel equipped to do so.

This training program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 and will equip healthcare professionals to recognise and respond appropriately to adult disclosures of sexual violence.

This 6.5-hour interactive activity aims to provide psychologists with an understanding of the societal drivers and long-term health impacts of sexual violence on individuals and the community, prevalence, terminology, at-risk groups, perpetrator behaviours, the role of police and the justice system, and support services for patient recovery - the patient care approach is based on the internationally recognised World Health Organisation (WHO) LIVES approach.

The curriculum is designed by forensic physicians with expertise in responding to patients who have experienced sexual violence.

This is the first of a three-unit program and combines:

• 30 minutes of pre-reading,

• 1 hour introduction webinar (Zoom),

• 4 hours self-directed eLearning (Moodle), and

• 1 hour closing webinar (Zoom).

This Unit can also be delivered in a Face-to-Face delivery mode that takes place as a one day workshop.

Content warning

Due to the nature of the content of this activity, please be aware that you will be exposed to both descriptions and images that are confronting, including images and descriptions of victims and serious injuries.
If you are in any way concerned about being exposed to such content, we strongly recommend that you contact the unit support officer via email at [email protected] to further discuss before attempting this activity.

Please consider your environment when completing this course:

• Avoid completing this course when others are in view (e.g. family, co-workers, in public).

• Lock your screen when unattended.

• Ensure your computer has an up-to-date anti-virus installed and running.

• Ensure appropriate privacy particularly for the subject matter

• Protect the time; arrange cover for responsibilities (e.g. on-call, childcare).

Duration of access

8 weeks access

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for Psychologists in all career stages, General Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Doctors, Midwives, Paramedics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, and
Nurse Practitioners.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

Related activities you may be interested in

Responding to sexual violence in at-risk patients - Unit 3

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• determine indicators of sexual violence and assess patient risk,

• determine short and long-term health impacts of sexual violence and incorporate into patient management.

• integrate impacts of vicarious trauma and unconscious bias into self-care and patient care management, and 

• integrate discussion on the role of police, the justice system, and confidentiality into patient reporting options.

Presenter(s)

About the presenter(s)

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