Responding to sexual violence in primary care requires a holistic response that addresses the patient’s physical, mental and psychosocial needs. This HealthEd podcast, which was produced as part of the Pathways Project, features Dr Ellie Freedman from NSW Health Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect (PARVAN).
In the podcast, Dr Freedman explores the complex nature of sexual violence within intimate partner relationships and the barriers and risks patients face in leaving these relationships. Applying these insights to primary care responses, Dr Freedman emphasises the need to screen for strangulation and potential head injury, and reminds GPs to connect with their local domestic, family and sexual violence services.
This podcast covers:
- Reasons why patients might stay in a sexually violent relationship rather than leave
- Signs that a healthcare provider should look for in patients they suspect or know to be in a sexually violent relationship
- Long-term outcomes of sexual violence
- Developing referral networks to assist patients in leaving a sexually violent relationship
This podcast will be useful to general practitioners and other healthcare workers, including sexual health, prehospital care, and allied health practitioners. GPs and healthcare providers can receive CPD points for listening to this podcast on the HealthEd website after creating an account.
Suggested citation:
HealthEd. (2025). Sexual violence: Long-term follow-up and management in primary care. Women’s Health. [PODCAST]. https://www.healthed.com.au/podcasts/sexual-violence-long-term-follow-up-and-management-in-primary-care/
