By Fraser Barton in Brisbane

Australia’s health practitioner regulators have come together for the first time, providing a united front in the fight against domestic violence.

In an unprecedented move, regulators issued a joint statement condemning family violence and reminding practitioners of their critical role in the battle to end it.

“Family violence is unacceptable,” it said.

“We are committed to responding to family violence in our capacity as regulators of health practitioners.”

It came after a national online survey revealed four in five men want to take action against domestic violence but almost half think they can’t do anything to change it.

The regulators’ landmark statement said practitioners were often the first point of contact for victims and played an essential role in the early detection, support, referral and delivery of treatment.

It also reminded practitioners their conduct must reflect the public’s trust in them, saying anyone who perpetrated family violence faced penalties such as suspension, cancellation or refusal of registration.

“Regulators work to ensure health practitioners are safe, ethical, and professional for the protection of the public,” it said.

“We encourage any person aware of a health practitioner perpetrating family violence to provide information to the police and appropriate regulatory body.”

The statement promptly received backing from the Australian Medical Association’s Queensland President Dr Nick Yim.

“Family violence is unacceptable in all forms,” he said.

“The family doctor’s relationship of trust with their patients lets them support victim-survivors, encourage them to seek help from specialised services, and refer them to mental health support.

“We support the regulators’ commitment to ensuring that health practitioners who perpetrate family violence face serious consequences.”

The statement came after a poll by not-for-profit organisation Our Watch.

It reported 43 per cent of men believed they are personally unable to change the rate of violence against women despite almost 80 per cent wanting to take action.

Our Watch is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.

The organisation said men and boys required a greater focus in combating domestic, family and sexual violence.

“Men don’t wake up one day and just decide to kill their partner,” said violence prevention advocate Tarang Chawla.

“It starts off in ways that might seem harmless – locker-room talk, sexist jokes, making fun of violence, objectifying women or asserting dominance over their partner.

“I would love to see more men questioning controlling behaviour towards women.”

The data came from an online survey of 1001 Australians aged 18 and over commissioned by Our Watch in September.

It showed 45 per cent of men said they feel pressure to act “stereotypically manly”, mostly in the workplace and within a sporting club.

Our Watch is running a social media campaign during the 16 days of activism campaign against gender-based violence.

Thousands of Victorians took a stand against gendered violence last week, marking the beginning of the worldwide campaign.

In South Australia, a Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is ongoing.

So far in 2024, 85 women have allegedly been murdered by a man in Australia according to Australian Femicide Watch.