DVRC TRAINING NEWS

Training Calendar for 2009

The Domestic Violence Resource Centre's training calendar, sessions and dates for January to June 2009 is available on the training section of the website. Click here to visit it. For registration contact DVRC by phone on (03) 9486 9866, by email at dvrcv@dvrcv.org.au or visit the website to download a registration form.

Case Notes, Domestic Violence and the Law training

Workers are often unclear about the role and purpose of case notes, both in their day to day practice and how case notes may be used in the legal process. To address these concerns the Domestic Violence Resource Centre, in conjunction with Women's Legal Service Victoria, has developed a new training called Case Notes, Domestic Violence and the Law. This two day training aims to inform participants about the requirements of writing and retaining case notes and the legal implications. Topics covered include: what are case notes and why do we need them; models for keeping case notes; good practice principles for writing case notes; legislative requirements; responding to a subpoena; preparing reports; and tips for appearing as a witness. The training provides participants with opportunities to reflect on their own practice and their agency policies and practice, to ask questions and to apply their new knowledge. This training was offered for the first time in 2008 and received very positive evaluations. The next Case Notes, Domestic Violence and the Law training will be held in Benalla, 28 & 29th April, 9.15am – 4.30pm each day. The cost is $150 per participant, with registrations closing 16 th April. Phone DVRC on (03) 9486 9866 to register.

DVRC PUBLICATIONS NEWS

Mothering Through Domestic Violence discussion paper

DVRC's forthcoming discussion paper by Ellen Fish draws on available literature to explore the social and physical context of mothering and the ways in which perpetrators of domestic violence can use this to their advantage in undermining women. This has consequences for a mother's self esteem and sense of identity, her ability to parent effectively, and her relationship with her children. Social expectations that mothers are almost solely responsible for their children's wellbeing place additional pressure on women, because it is they, rather than the perpetrators of violence, who may be held responsible if their children are harmed by domestic violence. Keep an eye on the Publications page of the DVRC website for news of this forthcoming publication.

DVRC Quarterly

We are interested in hearing about the work going on within the domestic and family violence sector, so if you have written a report or article you would like to share with other workers in the field, you are welcome to submit it for consideration for a forthcoming edition of the newsletter. Many of our reports and project highlights are 1-2 pages, and feature articles can be up to 3000 words. We would also be happy to receive news for the Noticeboard section, if you have information you would like to share, or an event to promote. If you would like to contribute a feature article, program profile, or notice for a future edition please email your submission, as a word document, to the Quarterly 's Editor, Belinda Morris at: bmorris@dvrcv.org.au

Disability Action Plan training for domestic and family violence organisations

The Department of Planning and Community Development is working with the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) to find community sector organisations, including domestic violence organisations, that they can support to write disability action plans (DAP). A DAP is a plan that helps an organisation remove the barriers that prevent people with disability from using the organisation's goods and services, getting and keeping employment, or taking part in the organisation's activities. Developing a DAP can be challenging, especially for organisations with limited resources and so the Victorian Office for Disability is offering free training sessions to community sector organisations, aimed at building organisations' capacity to develop a DAP. If you are interested in participating in the Disability Action Plan training, contact Melissa Yong at VCOSS via email Melissa.yong@vcoss.org.au or phone (03) 9639 5807.

DVRC LIBRARY NEWS

Visit DVRC library on LibraryThing!

DVRC is now on LibraryThing, an online book cataloguing website. Our catalogue on this site has a selection of recommended books on topics related to domestic violence and sexual assault, and includes reviews and recommendations from some of our staff. If you are in Victoria and are interested in any of the books you see on LibraryThing you can contact the DVRC library and borrow up to four books for a period of three weeks. Here is the link for you to get started on viewing some of the great resources that the DVRC library holds: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/dvrcvlibrary

Book on Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Substance Misuse

Child Protection, Domestic Violence and Parental Substance Misuse: Family Experiences and Effective Practice by Hedy Cleaver, Don Nicholson, Sukey Tarr, and Deborah Cleaver, explores the relationship between substance misuse and domestic violence and their effect on children. It examines the response of children's and adults' services when there are concerns about the safety and welfare of children. It reveals the vulnerability of these children and the extent to which domestic violence, parental alcohol or drug misuse impact on children's health and development, and how these factors affect the adults' parenting capacity and influence the wider family and community. It includes an attempt to hear what parents caught up in these situations think about their needs and about how local services have responded to them. It looks at the policy context for local practice, how well different agencies worked together and the role of training in helping practitioners and their managers have a shared understanding.

This resource can be borrowed from the DVRC library. Please email: library@dvrcv.org.au to arrange this.

LEGISLATION AND POLICY NEWS

Women's Safety and the Law Forum

Women's Legal Service Victoria, on behalf of Women's Legal Services Australia is hosting a national forum called ‘Women's Safety and the Law'. It is to be held on 18 & 19 March 2009 and there are limited places available. It will be held at Alto Even Space, corner Elizabeth and Bourke Streets, Melbourne and the cost is $420. For registration and any other questions please phone Women's Legal Service Victoria (03) 9642 0877.

New Women's Policy Framework

The new Women's Policy Framework 2008-11 is now available online at http://www.women.vic.gov.au/Web12/owpMain.nsf The aim of the framework is to build better outcomes for Victorian women and to continue to build on the four key themes of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): justice and safety; representation and equity; education, work and economic independence; and health, wellbeing and community strengthening.

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Copyright (c) DVRC 2009
292 Wellington Street, Collingwood 3066, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
http://www.dvrcv.org.au/ | Tel: 03 9486 9866 | Fax: 03 9486 9744