Health care workers play an important role for people who have experienced or are experiencing family violence.

People who experience family violence will often go to a health care worker before anyone else.

For example, a doctor.

Health care workers should know the signs that someone has experienced family violence.

Health care workers can help to stop the person experiencing any more harm.

For example, they can give the person information about family violence support services.

Health care workers must report abuse and neglect if they see a child experiencing them.

Abuse is when someone:

• hurts you
• scares you
• controls you.

Neglect is when someone is not helping you the way they are supposed to help you.