This report presents an evaluation of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society's response to family violence by way of the institution of its Family Violence Policy and Protocol March 2003. The evaluation, commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Health and carried out by staff of the Interdisciplinary Trauma Research Unit, Auckland University of Technology, included four focus groups of 20 Plunket staff members, a review of Plunket health Records and national database information for 133 clients, and four client interviews. Findings show a level of awareness by Plunket staff participants, but little reference to interventions such as referrals or safety plans. Initial staff anxiety and apprehension at asking women about relationship violence dissipated with experience. Staff felt a client-practitioner relationship needed to be built before some women would disclose violence and clients comments supported this view. Staff were adamant the Family Violence Policy and Protocol had positively influence their practice. Two of the four clients interviewed were unaware they had been screened for partner violence, indicating screening question may not be being put in an effective, direct manner by some staff. Of the 133 new baby case records reviewed, 64% documented family violence screening, with 6% showing evidence of a positive response, and a 30% to 80% screening rate variation across the four Plunket locations. The authors state that the Family Violence Policy and Protocol is currently under revision in order to further support staff in implementing this policy and to facilitate documentation of screening and interventions.

nz