The State Government has announced reforms to overhaul the way sexual offences are currently reported and dealt with. In response to key recommendations from the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (VLRC) report ‘Improving the Justice System Response to Sexual Offences’, the Government will adopt an affirmative consent model.
As part of the initial response, the State Government will provide $5.2 million in funding to specialist sexual assault services, to help respond to increasing reporting and demand. The funding will allow services to hire extra staff and provide more specialist support sessions to women and children.
(Source: WIFVS eNews, 15.12.21)
Thorne Harbour Health and Rainbow Health Victoria have partnered on a new campaign putting a spotlight on family violence in LGBTIQ communities. The ‘Safe Always’ campaign aims to achieve a wider recognition of LGBTIQ family violence amongst mainstream service providers and community, as well as raise awareness within LGBTIQ communities of experiences of violence that may otherwise remain hidden.
Click here to find out more.
(Source: WIFVS eNews, 15.12.21)
The Victorian Government and Respect Victoria’s Free from Violence Second Action Plan (2022-2025) was launched earlier this month. The Plan is clear in its message that primary prevention is essential to ending violence against women, and that prevention programs must respond to the complex factors that shape people’s experiences of gendered violence such as age, disability, ethnicity, faith and sexuality.
(Source: The Wrap, Migrant and Refugee Women’s Research Policy and Advocacy, 16.12.21)
The Federal Government has provided funding to Gender and Disaster Australia as part of the Government’s commitment to reducing violence against women.
Gender and Disaster Australia, previously known as GAD Pod, has been in operation for over a decade. It is a unique initiative which brings together a wide range of emergency sector, community and government agencies and representatives to address the causes and effects of gender-based violence in emergency and disaster situations.
The federal funding will allow Gender and Disaster Australia to implement a world-class, flexible-delivery and sustainable training package with ongoing professional resourcing and support. The program develops community capability to assist in identifying the risks and minimising the impact of gendered violence.
The GAD Pod was established in 2015 by Women’s Health In the North, Women’s Health Goulburn North East and Monash University’s Disaster Resilience Initiative, as a result of earlier work on the gendered impacts of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 on disaster responders, residents and communities.
(Source: WHIN eNews, 4.1.22)
New MARAM training modules are available for Department of Families Fairness and Housing, Department of Health workforces and sector funded organisations on the WOVG website via https://elearn.childlink.com.au/
Family Violence Foundation eLearn Module
This stand-alone 30-minute module has been developed for practitioners who have limited family violence knowledge, or they might be new to working with people who have experienced family violence. It covers understanding and recognising family violence, using an intersectional lens and the practitioner’s role in responding to family violence.
MARAM eLearn Training for Screening and Identification of Victim Survivors
This new family violence course is for practitioners who work with victim survivors and have a Screening and Identification role under MARAM. It is tailored to Department of Families Fairness and Housing and Department of Health workforces and sector funded organisations. The course has three 30-minute modules.
MARAM Brief and Intermediate eLearn Course for Practitioners Working with Victim Survivors
This new eLearn Course is available for practitioners with Brief and Intermediate responsibilities under MARAM. It is tailored to Department of Families Fairness and Housing and Department of Health workforces and sector funded organisations. The course has three 30-minute modules.
To access the eLearn courses:
- Go to https://elearn.childlink.com.au/
- Sign up for an account (if you do not have one)
- Select ‘Health Workforces’ (DOH) or ‘Families Fairness and Housing Workforces’ (DFFH)
Select the eLearn course you would like to enrol in. Select ‘Enrol me’.
A range of training and eLearn courses have been developed through the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence (SHRFV) initiative.
These resources have been tailored for practitioners working with victim survivors in hospital settings. For more information, go to: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-professionals/clinical-resources/strengthening-hospitals-response-to-family-violence.
(Source: Family Safety Victoria, 14.1.22)
Thirteen new graduates will be employed in 2022, across three major specialist family violence organisations in the northern metropolitan region. The successful organisations are inTouch, Kids First and the Salvation Army.
The NIFVS Team will coordinate the process across the region and link the new graduates into local professional development activities. Graduates will also participate in induction sessions and a community of practice with other graduates across the state.
Family Safety Victoria has funded the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Graduate Program, which had been implemented in rural and regional areas in 2021, and will be rolled out across metropolitan regions in 2022.
Building from Strength: 10-year Industry Plan for family violence prevention and response highlighted the need to invest in pathways to build the pipeline of suitably qualified workers for the specialist family violence, sexual assault and primary prevention sectors.
This Program builds on a graduate program successfully implemented in the Bayside Peninsula Area since 2018.
Find employment opportunities for these positions.
WIRE has introduced a program to support victim survivors searching for employment after experiencing family violence, through the Sustainable and Transformative Employment Pathways (STEP) Program. It is open to those who live in Victoria and are looking for work. Participants get access to workshops to build their confidence and skills to look for work, a job coach who can provides targeted guidance, and will be part of a group of other job seekers looking for work together.
Email STEP@wire.org.au for more information.
(WIRE eNews, 19.11.21)
In an Australian first, Victoria Police has launched a policy for dealing with perpetrators of family violence within its ranks.
The policy aims to clarify the roles, responsibilities and procedures police must follow when responding to family violence involving their colleagues.
The policy includes the establishment of a new model for allocating family violence cases involving police, and a new unit dedicated to investigating the most serious and complex matters.
(ABC News online, 11.11.21)
The Federal Government has introduced a ‘new payment to help women escape violent relationships’. Victorian victim-survivors can now apply for the Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) through UnitingCare Vic Tas. The payment is available for people 18+ who have recently experienced family violence, have a changed living situation and are experiencing financial stress.
Assistance can include up to $1500 in financial assistance such as vouchers for essential items; goods and services such as removalists, bonds or basics for a new home and wrap-around support including casework from UnitingCare.
Victim-survivors are required to connect with a local program partner to determine their eligibility to access the funding, by submitting an expression of interest online.
There will be a two-year trial of the EVP to assess the benefit of the payment, including demands, eligibility criteria, needs of specific cohorts and how it works with related services.
(Source: UnitingCare Vic Tas website & DV Vic/DVRCV eBulletin, 1.11.21)
Family Safety Victoria has developed an online portal to streamline the application, assessment, approval and acquittal of Family Violence Flexible Support Packages (FVFSPs).
The portal is now open for applicant agencies to submit applications, and provider agencies will use the portal to assess, respond to and report on applications. Each provider has a specific link to the portal.
Until 31 December 2021, applications will still be accepted using the previous application process or through the portal. From 1 January 2022 all applications will need to be submitted via the portal.
A learning portal has been established to help new users learn to navigate the new FSP portal quickly and easily. Applicant agencies/practitioners need to register to use the FSP portal following the steps outlined in the training in the learning portal.
Applicant agencies/practitioners in the northern metropolitan region can contact the FVFSP providers about accessing the learning portal and attending upcoming information sessions:
North East Melbourne: Anglicare FVFSP Coordinator at flexiblepackages.preston@anglicarevic.org.au or 8470 9999
Hume Moreland: Uniting FVFSP Coordinator at hmfvfsp@vt.uniting.org or 9302 6100.
Find detailed information about FSPs, including eligibility, what packages can buy and service requirements, in the updated program guidelines.
Find more information about the Personal Safety Initiative operational guidelines.
(Uniting and Anglicare emails, 26.10.21)
