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Title:

Safer Lives, Better Health

SubTitle:

Understanding and Responding to Domestic/Family Violence

Date:
2006 DVD only

Category:
Domestic Violence

Target Group:
Only available to health and interagency workers with a role in identifying and responding to people who experience domestic/family violence.

Duration:
99 Mins

Description:
Safer Lives, Better Health was developed to promote better understanding and support for people affected by domestic/family violence.
NOTE: A new edition of Safer Lives Better Health, planned to be available in 2008/9 will also contain stories from lesbian and refugee women

The DVD consists of 5 Menu items containing 7 different chapters, each with its own purpose or theme. The resource reflects the diversity found within the community and health service settings. Viewers will hear from people who have personal experiences of domestic or Aboriginal family violence, as well as from health and interagency workers.

The people interviewed in the DVD contribute to an understanding of the dynamics of domestic/family violence, the tactics used to perpetrate domestic/family violence and the short and long-term health and social effects on those who are victimized.

Health and interagency workers reflect upon a range of responses, which fit with current understandings of good practice. Two dramatisations show health workers' identifying and responding to domestic violence by assessing indicators and conducting routine screening.

The resource reflects NSW Health Policy and Procedures for Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence (2003) and the NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy, however the content is relevant to workers from a range of services.

In 2007 the Stories from Survivors chapter was enhanced with the addition of ‘Brads story’. Brad talks about his experience of domestic violence from his gay male partner before discussing some of the key issues in responding to gay men experiencing domestic violence.

Brads story

Brad speaks about the joy of finding his first partner as a young gay man who was establishing his identity whilst experiencing homophobia. He describes how his partner’s psychological and financial abuse began subtly and escalated over more than five years. Brad recounts how effectively these tactics worked to keep him in the relationship. He talks about the anxiety caused by living in constant fear and the ongoing effects of this abuse on his self-esteem and body image. It was by making connections with others that Brad was able to assess his experience, clarify his alternatives and leave his abusive partner. Brad goes on to discuss some of the key issues in responding to gay men experiencing domestic violence

AWARDS

'Safer Lives, Better Health' was a finalist in the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) awards under the category Best Instructional/Training Resource.

Cost:
$100.00