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Northern Integrated Family
Violence Services Partnership
For professionals supporting the
safety of victim survivors in Melbourne's
northern metropolitan region

Family Safety Victoria (FSV) would like to hear from the family violence and sexual assault workforce to better understand workforce needs. The survey is now open until 19 October 2022, takes no more than 15 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

Complete the survey here.


(Source: Safe & Equal Bulletin, 12.8.22)

The Victorian Government has announced 13 successful projects funded under the first phase of the Family Violence Research Program 2021-2024. The research projects will seek to identify evidence gaps and support service improvement and innovation in prevention responses to family violence and sexual assault to ensure research is embedded as part of Victoria’s landmark family violence reform.

The research topics include supporting recovery from violence for children and young people, addressing challenges to accessing family violence support for First Nations Victorians, and strategies for engaging perpetrators and people who use violence.

(Source: Premiers Media Centre, 9.8.22)

Safe and Equal have welcomed the recently proposed reforms to consent legislation in Victoria. These amendments mean that, legally, consent for sexual activity must be actively sought and can be withdrawn at any time. Significantly, this would mean the law recognises that consent cannot be given if coerced under fear or force.

As Safe and Equal emphasise, family violence and sexual assault are inextricably linked. These proposed changes recognise this fact, and acknowledge that consent cannot be freely given when there’s a threat of family violence. 

Read Safe and Equal’s full statement.

(Source: Safe and Equal Member Bulletin, 12.8.22)

The newly released “What Now” webinars (No to Violence) help workforces familiarise themselves with the MARAM Practice Guide for working with adults using violence

These webinars do not place any upcoming MARAM training.

(video pw: NTVWHATNOW)

Responsibility 1: Respectful, sensitive and safe engagement AND Responsibility 2: Identification of family violence risk – Recording

Responsibility 3: Intermediate Risk Assessment – Recordings – Part 1 – Part 2

Responsibility 4: Intermediate Risk Management – Recording

Responsibility 5: Secondary consultation and referral, including for comprehensive family violence assessment and management response AND Responsibility 6: Contribute to Information Sharing with other services (as authorised by legislation) – Recording

Responsibility 9: Contribute to Coordinated Risk Management AND Responsibility 10: Collaborate for Ongoing Risk Assessment and Risk Management – Recording

Find further information about MARAM Guidance, Training and Responsibilities.

(Source: Family Violence AOD Newsletter, 26.7.22)

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said legislating the paid leave as a universal right would be his first parliamentary act.

“More than eight million Australians will have access to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave by the end of the year as the new government pledges to make workplace equality reforms a priority.”

(Source: Family Violence AOD July Newsletter, 11.7.22)

A report authored by Anne Summers has revealed the significant number of single mothers affected by family violence. According to the report, 60 per cent of single mothers have experienced family violence at the hands of a previous partner, compared to 17 per cent of women more broadly.

The report also sets out the immense financial challenges women face when leaving abusive relationships. 

Produced by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the report focuses on previously unpublished data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Personal Safety Survey that demonstrates the link between family violence and single motherhood.

(Source: ABC News online, 7.7.22)

Practitioners who have worked with children and young people, as well as adults with lived experience who have lost a parent due to domestic homicide are invited to participate in a survey. The objective of the Melbourne University research is to better understand children and young people’s living arrangement experiences, family and peer relationships, and identity development. Children and young people over 12 are also being sought for this research.

Find out more here.

(Source: Melbourne University email, 27.6.22)

The State Government has opened submissions for providers to run the new Statewide Trauma Service (STS), which was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system.

The STS will bring together mental health practitioners, trauma experts, peer workers and people with lived experience with the immediate priorities of:

  • developing a research agenda to address knowledge gaps in trauma practice
  • embedding trauma informed practice across the wider mental health and wellbeing system
  • creating a workforce strategy for new specialist trauma practitioners, who will provide tailored and holistic treatment, care, and support.

Applicants will need to apply in the form of a consortium partnership with the appropriate range of experiences and competencies to ensure genuine, collaborative partnerships with a diversity of stakeholders.

To apply visit www.tenders.vic.gov.au.

(Source: VAADA eNews, 19.7.22)

Funding has been provided for a 12-month Family Violence Motel* Project.

The aims include:

  • Support a more coordinated local approach to the utilisation of motels for family violence emergency accommodation by developing systems and information sharing process between local agencies and statewide services
  • Develop systems, information and resources to support safe and appropriate motel placements.

The project working group for the NMR includes the Principal Strategic Advisor and representatives from The Orange Doors, homelessness and specialist family violence services. A Family Violence Motel Co-ordinator Project Facilitator has also been employed by Juno.

* The term ‘motel’ including motels, hotels, caravan parks etc.

(Source: Family Safety Victoria communique, 20.7.22)

The new Labor government has promised that it will create a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund which will build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties in its first five years.

The Fund will aim to build around 20,000 social housing properties including 4000 specifically for women and children escaping domestic and family violence and older women at risk of homelessness.

The ALP will establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, which will be advised by experts from various sectors with the aim to finding the best approaches to increasing housing supply and improving affordability.

The National Housing and Homelessness Plan will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders from across national, state and territory, and local governments and private sectors. It will aim to set key short-, medium- and longer-term reforms needed to increase the supply and affordability of homes to buy and rent and reduce rates of homelessness.

(Source: Homelessness Networker Coordinator- Northern Region, 25.5.22)