The NSW Health routine screening for domestic violence program

Routine questioning of women about abuse by their intimate partner has been progressively introduced in NSW in antenatal, early childhood, alcohol and other drug and mental health services since 2001. This was done because of the serious health consequences of domestic violence and the low identification rate of abuse by health services. Following a pilot that found strong support from female patients, this strategy is now well established in NSW public health services. Recent data indicate that approximately 10 000 women a month are asked these questions and that 7.3% of them report experiences of physical abuse or fear caused by their partner or ex-partner within the past 12 months.