* Triple Zero Responders are the first to receive
comprehensive family and domestic violence training by St John WA
* Partnership with St John WA worth more than $2
million will see call-takers and paramedics trained
* The Cook Labor Government is committed to
addressing family and domestic violence
St John WA First Responders across
Western Australia are receiving vital family and domestic violence training to
ensure they can better support victim-survivors.
The Cook Labor Government has
provided $2.1 million to build the capacity of St John WA's First Responders,
which includes Triple Zero (000) call-takers, paramedics and volunteers, to
recognise and respond to family and domestic violence.
St John WA has partnered with
specialist family and domestic violence service provider Stopping Family
Violence to co-design and deliver four hours of intensive mandatory training to
frontline team members including call-takers and paramedics.
This will be expanded over time to
include volunteers and the training will transition to be included in St John
WA's ongoing Continuing Education Program, resulting in more than 5,000 team
members receiving the training.
Triple Zero Responders from the St
John WA State Operations Centre were the first cohort to recently complete the
training.
St John WA receives up to 6,000
calls each year from patients displaying injuries relevant to suspected family
and domestic violence incidents.
People experiencing family and
domestic violence can call the Women's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 007 339,
or Men's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 000 599, or the National Helpline 1800
RESPECT.
Comments attributed to Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
Minister Sabine Winton:
"Our State's First Responders play a vital role in
responding to calls for assistance from people who are experiencing family and
domestic violence.
"There can be a reluctance to involve police in family and
domestic violence matters, and on some occasions, St John staff may be the
first to have contact with victim-survivors.
"I am pleased to be able to announce the start of
this important training initiative during the 16 Days in WA campaign.
"The theme for 2023 is "Stopping Family and Domestic
Violence: Play Your Part", and I think you would all agree that our First
Responders are certainly playing their part.
"I continue to encourage all Western Australians to
consider how they can also play their part to help stop family and domestic
violence."
Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"This
training will build the capacity of St John WA emergency response team members to
recognise and respond to the needs of patients who may be experiencing family
and domestic violence.
"Triple Zero (000) call takers were trained as a priority since they
engage in every call relating to family and domestic violence.
"This
training will be vital in contributing to the safety of victim-survivors when
responding to calls for emergency assistance where family and domestic violence
may be involved."
