Summary

The Domestic Violence Routine Screening (DVRS) Snapshot Report for 2016 provides information to the Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect unit, local health districts and specialty health networks, as well as individual service streams and facilities regarding the level and outcomes of screening for the past 14 years.

The data is used to monitor implementation of the DVRS program and to support ongoing service improvement in identifying and responding to domestic violence.

The 2016 snapshot reveals an increase in eligible women presenting to facilities, but a slight decrease in screening rate from the previous year from 63.5 per cent to 62.7 per cent of eligible women.

The disclosure rate of women experiencing domestic violence in the previous 12 months at the state level decreased from 6.4 per cent to 5.9 per cent. In specific areas:

• the screening rates in maternity, and women’s health services remained at 88 per cent
• screening uptake in alcohol and other drugs services was 87 per cent, up from 79 per cent in November 2015
• the screening rate also improved in mental health services to 60 per cent, up from 52 per cent in the previous year
• child and family health services screened 46 per cent of eligible women, a decrease from 49 per cent in November 2015.

The disclosure rate in mental health (14 per cent) and alcohol and other drugs services (17 per cent) was high compared with the average across all services (5.9 per cent). ​