As many of us enjoy the holiday season, families and couples will naturally spend more time together. While for most this is a positive experience, it can also lead to increased tension or angst.
It’s important to remember that no matter where you are or who you’re with, we all have the right to feel safe and respected.
Respect can be shown in many ways. For example, at family end of the year or new year gatherings it may look like:
- Offering help
- Choosing not to laugh at jokes that put people down
- Sharing the washing up
- Listening with an open mind
- Recognising that families come in all shapes and sizes
- Celebrating diversity
- Treating all children equally
Research has shown that this can also be a time of increased family violence. If you, a relative, colleague or patient, is experiencing family violence, please know that support is available.
Our goal is to provide confidential, non-judgmental support to anyone impacted and equip you with the necessary information to ensure you can identify, respond and provide the right advice to help keep others safe.
These resources include over-the-phone and online support for managers, employees, and patient-related secondary consults from the Family Violence team, along with:
- The Family Violence Flowchart – which provides a step-by-step approach if you see signs of family violence or have a patient disclose family violence
- The family violence clinical guidelines available on PROMPT
- The COVID-19 Employee website – provides information to employees personally impacted and what Monash Health can do to support employees in this situation
- Referrals and resources recommendations – help is available
You can learn more about our Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence on the COVID-19 Employee website or by accessing PROMPT.
We wish you a safe and happy holiday break.
Approved by Adj A/Prof Naomi Dobroff, Chief Nursing and and Midwifery Information Officer.