FDSV - Understanding Non-fatal Strangulation vs Sexual Choking

Capital Health Network (CHN), ACT’s Primary Health Network (PHN), invites General Practitioners (GPs) and allied health professionals to our first online FDSV Community of Practice (CoP).

This CoP is designed to bring primary health care professionals together to build shared understanding, strengthen collaboration across primary care and the FDSV sector, and enhance trauma-informed responses to address FDSV.

This CoP forms part of the Supporting Primary Care Sector Response to FDSV Pilot Program, which aims to support primary health care professionals in recognising and responding to early signs of FDSV by offering free, tailored, and trauma-informed training and resources. Central to the initiative are Link Workers, embedded within local specialist organisations, playing a pivotal role in facilitating the coordination of referrals, improving integration between primary care and the FDSV sector, and enhancing service navigation for victim-survivors.

In this first online FDSV CoP session, Dr Anita Hutchison – CHN’s Family Safety GP Advisor, Melissa Wightman – Canberra Rape Crisis Centre’s Sexual Violence (SV) Link Worker, and Nikki Armstrong – Domestic Violence Crisis Service’s Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Link Worker, will discuss the prevalence and health impacts of non-fatal strangulation and sexual choking. Using de-identified case studies, they will demonstrate practical strategies to recognise risk indicators, respond appropriately to disclosures, and make appropriate referrals.

Participants will also have the opportunity to bring their own de-identified cases, questions, and experiences to enrich the discussion and enhance collective understanding. This interactive approach aims to deepen knowledge, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and provide practical tips that can be applied in everyday primary care practice.

This session marks the beginning of a series of CoP meetings that will continue to address FDSV issues and support trauma-informed primary care responses for FDSV victim-survivors. These activities are supported by funding from the ACT PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN program.