Announcement of Outcomes of Family Violence Services Tender Process

The State Government has announced the outcomes of the Department of Human Services Integrated Family Violence Services funding process. Across Victoria 20 partnerships involving 70 organisations have been funded to provide service delivery in each of the regions.

More information on the outcomes is available on the DHS Office for Children website

Candy Broad, the Minister responsible for coordinating the new approach to family violence in Victoria, releases bi-monthly updates on the changes to the family violence system. These bulletins are available on the Office for Women's Policy website.

A special funding issue of The New Approach bulletin was released on May 22 (pdf)

Western Women's Domestic Violence Support Network (WWDVSN) Closure

WWDVSN has had their funding cut as a result of the implementation of the Integrated Family Violence Services funding process. They have had to close their doors and stop operations. The network supported 500 women in the last 12 months and over 200 of these women came from referrals from Keilor Downs and Sunshine Police. WWDVSN have been assisting women and children in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne for over 10 years and are unique in Victora for providing on-going post-crisis support utlising a peer support model.

A meeting to campaign for funding will be held at:

2.30 - 4.30 Wednesday, 7th June
Albion Community Centre
61A Selwyn St Sunshine

To RSVP for the meeting or to show your support, contact Debbie and Lana on 9312 0960 or Bronwen on 9311 9973.

'Now be reasonable...' Preparing for the New Family Law System

DVIRC's Annual Family Law Forum provides the opportunity to get an update on changes to Family Law and to share ideas about common issues and concerns.

Speakers:

To register complete registration form (pdf).

Victoria's Family Violence Prevention Networkers

The State Government's decision to defund the Family Violence Networker positions as part of the changes to the family violence service system has not been supported across the sector. These positions will cease to exist at the end of June. Since 1995, workers in these positions have initiated and supported family violence prevention activities in their regions. They have played a key role in:

• disseminating information to health and welfare organisations and the broader community;
• creating partnerships and links across services responding to family violence;
• organising innovative regional focus groups and forums;
• providing information and assistance to police and government policy makers; and
• raising awareness about family violence in the community and local media.

Many of their projects are documented in DVIRC's publication 101 Ways Great and Small to Prevent Family Violence. DVIRC has valued the Networkers' input and ideas for useful resources and their assistance with the distribution of publications and training calenders within their regions. The loss of the Networkers creates a gap in the sector and we hope that others will build on the work achieved.

DVIRC congratulates all of the Family Violence Prevention Networkers and thanks them for their valuable work.

Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) Survivors' Stories

WWDA is working on a project to develop a resouce manual on violence against women with disabilities. The manual will have a booklet dedicated to the stories of survivors.

Women wishing to share their stories can contact Sue Salthouse at sudata@optusnet.com.au

Positions Available at DVIRC

DVIRC has two positions currently available:

• Information (Administration) Worker - 22.5 hpw
• Information (Library) Worker - 30 hpw

Applications close 9.30 am Mon 19 June. Go to our website to download position descriptions

Family Violence Laws Campaign

The Federation of Community Legal Centres and Domestic Violence Victoria are holding a meeting to consider ways to promote the implementation of the recommendations from the Victoria Law Reform Commission's Family Violence Laws Review. The meeting is a follow up from the Family Violence Laws forum held in April.

Wednesday June 14, 2006
10.30-12.30
Trades Hall, Carlton

For further details contact Caterhine Plunkett on 9654 2204 or at Catherine_plunkett@fcl.fl.asn.au.

The Family Violence Laws Final Report and summary can be viewed at Victorian Law Reform Commission website.

Domestic Violence & Mediation NEW DVIRC training

The Family Law System is undergoing significant change and this is likely to have major implications for women developing parenting arrangements post-separation who have been in violent relationships. This training is designed to give workers an overview of key legal and other reforms; the possible consequences for victims of domestic violence; and how they might support clients affected by these changes. It will also consider ways to support and advocate for victims who are required to use mediation to determine their post-separation parenting arrangements, including planning for safe processes, and safe parenting arrangements for clients and their children.

Monday 21 August, 2006
Melbourne CBD
9.15am – 4.30pm
Cost: $50

To register contact DVIRC on 9486 9866 or dvirc@dvirc.org.au

Intimate Partner Abuse and Health Professionals: New Approaches to Domestic Violence

This new book edited by Dr Gwenneth Roberts, Associate Professor Kelsey Hegarty and Professor Gene Feder, brings together the latest information about intimate partner abuse and how it should be addressed in health care settings. Topics covered include routine screening; mandatory reporting of partner abuse; the impact partner abuse has on families; abuse in same-sex relationships; and intimate partner abuse amongst indigenous people.

Copies of the book Intimate Partner Abuse and Health Professionals are available for purchase from Open Leaves Book Store.

2006 Statewide Summit
Women's Health Matters: from Policy to Practice, a 10-Point Plan for Victorian Women's Health 2006-2010.

A summit to discuss the future challenges in women's health, the priority issues, service development options, and future cross-government potential in women's health across Victoria.

13 July, 2006
9.00am - 5.00pm
Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre cnr
Bell St & St Georges Rd
Preston

Email RSVP to whv@whv.org.au by 16 June 2006. For further information contact Chris Hazell at Chris.hazell@whv.org.au or phone 9662 3755

DVIRC training: Young People and Family Violence - Bendigo

This 2-day workshop explores the effects of family violence on young people. It provides strategies for working with young people both as witnesses of family violence and as survivors of dating violence including responding to disclosures, engagement, risk assessment and theraputic options.

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June, 2006
Bendigo
Cost: $100

To register, contact Cheryl Munzel, Loddon Campaspe Family Violence Networker on 5443 4945 or munz@netcon.net.au.

Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service

The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service provides a range of services including:

• free legal advice to victims of family violence and sexual assault;
• free regional legal advice clinics;
• counselling to victims of family violence and sexual assault;
• community education/awareness information sessions;
• telephone legal advice and telephone counselling.
  
  For more information contact 1800 105 303 or visit www.fvpls.org

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The Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services and works to end all forms of family and relationship violence through education, training, publications, research and advocacy.

Copyright (c) DVIRC 2006
292 Wellington Street, Collingwood 3066, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
http://www.dvirc.org.au/ | Tel: 03 9486 9866 | Fax: 03 9486 9744