Domestic and family violence

Last updated 26 August 2025
Domestic and family violence

Recognise, Respond, Refer (RRR)

An integrated health response to domestic and family violence

Since 2018, Brisbane South PHN has successfully developed and implemented the Recognise, Respond, Refer (RRR) model to support primary care providers to play a role in an integrated systems response to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

The RRR program consists of providing RACGP-accredited training to general practice staff on safely identifying and responding in a trauma-informed way to patients who may be experiencing DFV.

Core to the success of the program is the role of the Domestic and Family Violence ‘Local Link’, a specialist able to be a single point of referrals and facilitates integration between general practices and local DFV services.

Video: Introducing Recognise, Respond, Refer


Domestic and Family Violence, Sexual Violence, and Child Sexual Abuse

Expansion to support Primary Care providers supporting patients affected by Sexual Violence and Child Sexual Abuse. 

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), Sexual Violence (SV) and Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) are all recognised as significant problems on a national, state and local level. It is now widely acknowledged that any potential solution to DFV, SV and CSA is exceedingly complex and requires multi-disciplinary collaboration between a number of government and community agencies. 

Brisbane South PHN has expanded the Recognise, Respond, Refer (RRR) program to enhance service responses to people affected by Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), Sexual Violence (SV) and Childhood Sexual Assault (CSA), ultimately improving outcomes for these individuals and their families.

The Local Link service provides general practices across the Brisbane South PHN region with access to specialist domestic and family violence (DFV), Sexual Violence (SV) and Childhood Sexual Assault (CSA) workers to support with recognising, responding and referring patients impacted by DFV.

The Local Link Coordinators in your area are your general practice’s one-point-of-referral for patients impacted by DFV.  They will undertake a risk assessment and connect your patients with the most appropriate supports for their needs. 

The referral process for this service has been tailored to general practices:

  • referrals directly received by your DFV specialist Local Link Coordinators (not a general intake team)

  • shortened referral forms that can be embedded in practice software and sent via secure messaging on Medical Objects

  • option to refer via telephone

  • provision of outcome letter.

Your Local Link workers are also available for:

  • de-identified case consultations via phone or in person to support you in working with patients do not wish to be referred at that time 

  • co-location or visits your practice to see patients and provide additional DFV education and support to staff

  • DFV workforce capacity building activities

  • connecting general practice staff with debriefing supports for compassion fatigue.

DFV Local Link is currently available to general practices in the Brisbane south region (Redlands, Logan, Beaudesert/Jimboomba and Brisbane areas). You can find out more about available services or arrange a visit to your practice by contacting your DFV Local Link Coordinator.

For practices in Redlands and Logan

For practices in Brisbane South

For practices in Beaudesert and Jimboomba


Training for General Practices: Domestic and Family Violence, Sexual Violence, and Child Sexual Abuse

Through the Recognise Respond Refer (RRR) Program, Brisbane South PHN delivers RACGP-accredited training that explores practical ways to support patients affected by domestic and family violence (DFV).

The training has been developed by specialists in collaboration with GPs and DFV victim-survivors, and is delivered free-of-charge in practices. It encourages a ‘whole of practice approach’ to build the capability and confidence of health care professionals to support those affected by DFV.

The free training is currently offered to general practices in the Brisbane South PHN region (Logan, Redlands, Beaudesert/Jimboomba, Brisbane South areas).

Contact your local area trainer using the details below for more information or to book training for your practice.

Local Link (Logan and Redlands)

Email: redlandslocallink@centreforwomen.org.au

Email: loganlocallink@centreforwomen.org.au

Phone: 0460 626 502  |  0482 811 980

Fax: (07) 31445602

Local Link (Brisbane South)

Phone: (07) 3013 6035

Lead Trainer: 0413 127 824

Email: PHNLocalLink@MicahProjects.org.au

Local Link (Beaudesert and Jimboomba)

Phone: 0417 078 108

Email: locallink@yfs.org.au

Fax: (07) 3144 5602


Community of Practice – Support for general practitioners

The RRR Community of Practice brings together GPs with an interest in responding to DFV, Sexual Violence (SV) and Childhood Sexual Assault (CSA) to support one another, facilitate case discussions, and learn more about help available for their patients. The Community of Practice is facilitated by RRR GP Clinical Advisor, Dr Johanna Lynch, a trauma-informed GP Psychotherapist.

To express interest in joining the Community of Practice, look for sessions advertised on the Brisbane South PHN Education Calendar or contact us on the details below.

Contact us

To register your interest in the RRR program or for further information on Local Link services, please contact our Family Support team at support@bsphn.org.au.


Resources for health professionals

RACGP guidelines

Brisbane South HealthPathways

COVID-19 and domestic and family violence

Domestic and family violence information sharing

Non-lethal strangulation in domestic and family violence