A new study by Molly Allen-Leap, post-graduate researcher at the Judith Lumley Centre, has evaluated the impact of culturally safe domestic violence and abuse (DVA) training for GPs.
“Domestic violence is a critical global health crisis affecting one in three women worldwide,” Molly says.
While GPs often serve as the first point of contact for victim-survivors, many lack training in culturally safe responses to DVA.
“Traditional DVA training programs have largely overlooked intersectionality, the way factors such as disability, Aboriginality, gender identity, sexual orientation, and migration status intersect to shape victim-survivors’ experiences and help-seeking behaviours.”
Molly says this is especially relevant for migrant and refugee women, who are underrepresented in DVA research.
“These women face additional barriers including visa insecurity, fear of repercussions, cultural stigma, isolation, language difficulties and discrimination. Despite their significant presence in high-income countries, their healthcare experiences remain poorly understood and inadequately addressed by primary care providers.”
To address this disparity, Molly evaluated the effectiveness of the HARMONY intervention, a training program that is co-facilitated by a GP educator and a bilingual South Asian DVA advocate.
“Our trial found that culturally safe DVA training significantly boosts GP confidence and communication skills,” Molly says. “Importantly, nearly 74% of participants reported increased understanding of cultural safety and the specific needs of South Asian patients.”
Molly says the HARMONY trial contributes to a growing body of evidence endorsing cultural safety principles in DVA training.
“This combined approach provides the first comprehensive evidence that co-delivered training can close knowledge gaps in culturally safe care and elevate minoritised perspectives often excluded from policy and practice.”
