Gippsland Integrated Family Violence Reform Strategy
Statewide integrated service reforms
Explanation | Aims | Reform process | Reform priorities | Statewide developments
Explanation
Local partnerships (including specialist family violence services, police, justice services and stakeholders) are working together to improve the safety of women and children and increase accountability of men who use violence against family and to ensure that unified and streamlined responses are provided to victims of family violence, regardless of which part of the service system provides support.
Aims of new approach
- Reduce deaths, injuries and the emotional impact
- Respond more effectively to all women and children
- Strengthen the response of the police and courts
- Increase accountability of and access to behaviour change programs for men
- Emphasis the rights, needs and safety of children
- Provide greater support to all workers who deal with victims
- Bring the issue of family violence into the open.
Reform process
Family Violence Service Reform timeline -
- Began in July 2006
- Service reforms to be introduced over four years
- The release of the DHS “Guiding Integration FV Service Reforms 2006-2009 Document” occurred in Dec 2006, giving strong DHS direction about the implementation of the service reforms.
Nine reform priorities
Nine Reform Priorities as listed in the DHS “Guiding Integration FV Service Reforms 2006-2009 Document” (access full document (PDF 96kb) here or summary (PDF 14kb))
1 Establishment of regional coordination and planning structure
2 Working together to provide quality services for clients
3 Development of clear referral pathways and intake processes
4 Continuous improvement strategies and success and barriers for integrated system
5 Access by Indigenous Victorians working with Indigenous communities
6 Access by diverse groups(CALD; disability: gay, lesbian, bi-sexual & transgender)
7 Focus on children and young people
8 Developing critical linkages
9 Workforce development to support quality services
Statewide developments
Risk assessment tool
The Family Violence Risk Assessment & Management Tool was officially released in July 2007. The Risk Assessment Tool (PDF 1.46Mb) and Referral pages (PDF 135 kb) were developed to better identify and respond to Family Violence. An integrated response depends on all agencies speaking a common language and having a common understanding of Family Violence.
Benchmark data collection
The data collection aims to gather evidence from police, courts and family violence services on key indicators of an integrated family violence service system in order to provide a baseline for future comparison. More information is available here (PDF 51Kb)
Police issuing of safety notices
Police will be able to issue interim, on the spot safety notices under a trial program to commence in mid-2008 to provide quicker and more decisive protection for victims of family violence.
- Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence (PDF 562Kb)
- Formal Protocol between Department of Human Services and Victorian Police Family Violence Referral pathways 2006-2008 (PDF 1.17Mb)
- Annex to the Formal Protocol between Department of Human Services (DHS) and Victoria Police - Family Violence Referral Pathways 2006-2008 (PDF 56Kb)
- Discussion Paper Family Violence Leadership and Coordination Mechanisms February 2008 (PDF 58Kb)
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Gippsland Reform Process
Funded agencies | Steering committee documentation | Calendar of events | Statewide links | Codes of practice | Training| Contact Us
Gippsland funded family violence agencies
Gippsland Integrated Family Violence Service Reform Steering Committee documentation
Various Documents
Resources
- Police Flowcharts (PDF108kb)
- Stop Family Violence Card Oct 2009 (PDF 47kb) Order supplies here
- Gippsland Partnership Agreement Contact List (PDF 111 kb)
Dates and Forms
- Regional Steering Committee Meeting dates 2010 (PDF 12kb)
- After Hours Working Group Meeting dates
- Sub Regional Reference Groups Meeting dates
- Funding Application (PDF 22kb) (Word Doc 86kb)
- Membership Application (PDF 23kb)
Calendar of events (State/National/International Days)
Family Violence Training Schedule & International Days 2010 (PDF 25Kb)
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Statewide links
- Domestic Violence Resource Centre www.dvrcv.org.au (03) 9486 9866
DVRCV aims to reduce and prevent family violence by providing education to improve service and policy responses, and by assisting people who have experienced abuse.
- Domestic Violence Victoria Inc. (DV Vic) www.dvvic.org.au (03)
9921 0828
DV Vic is a value driven peak advocacy organisation committed to the rights of women and children to live free of violence. It comprises a membership of Women's family/domestic violence services operating across the state of Victoria.
- Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) www.wwda.org.au (03) 6244 8288
WWDA is the peak organisation for women with all types of disabilities in Australia. It is an organiastion made up of women with disabilities and associated organisations.
- The Womens Domestic Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS) www.wdvcs.org.au General enquiries (03) 9928 9600
For confidential support & information (03) 9322 3555 or toll free 1800 015 188.
WDVCS is the Victorian State-wide service for women experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone else you are close to.
- Women's Health Goulburne North East (WHGNE) www.whealth.com.au launched the Partner Rape DVD late last year - "KNOW ABOUT IT, RESPOND EFFECTIVELY, PREVENT IT".
This is an educational film for health and legal professionals, for women affected by partner rape, for men's groups and for the community. It is based on the 2008 research report, Raped by a Partner.
Here is the link to this DVD http://www.whealth.com.au/ourwork/partner_rape_youtube.html
Codes of practice, standards, guidelines
Department of Human Services - Integrated Family Violence Services Webpage
- Component descriptionsComponent descriptions:
- Private Rental Brokerage and Support (PDF 81 kb)
- Intensive Case Management Model Guidelines (PDF 133 kb)
- Men's Behaviour Change Group Work - Summary of Minimum Standards for Quality Practice (PDF 180kb 22 pages)
- SAAP Case Management Resource Kit
- DHS Information Privacy Policy [external]
- Working with the Multicultural Resource Guide
- Homelessness assistance Service standards (HASS)
- Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework
- Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence Services for Women and Children (PDF 974kb)
- Protocols
- Private Rental Brokerage and Support (PDF 81Kb)
- Intensive Case Management Model Guidelines (PDF 133Kb)
- Practice Guidelines: Women and children's family violence counselling support programs (PDF 626kb)
- Men's Behaviour Change Group Work - Summary of Minimum Standards for Quality Practice (PDF 180Kb)
- Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence (PDF 562Kb)
- Formal Protocol between Department of Human Services and Victorian Police Family Violence Referral pathways 2006-2008 (PDF 3Mb)
- Identifying and Responding to Family Violence: a Guide for General Practitioners online guide by the Victorian Community Council Against Violence
- * NEW * Living Free From Violence -
Upholding the Right Victoria Police strategy to reduce Violence Against
Women and Children 2009 – 2014 - * NEW * Respectful Relationships Education: Violence prevention and respectful relationships education in Victorian secondary schools November 2009
- * NEW *
A Right to Respect: Victoria’s Plan to Prevent Violence against Women 2010 –2020
Training (Statewide)
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria www.dvrcv.org.au
Training (Regional)
Family Violence Training Schedule & International Days 2010 (PDF 25Kb)
Contact us
Kerry Hamer, Gippsland Family Violence Regional Integration Coordinator (RIC), Gippsland Women's Health Service, 56B Cunninghame St., Sale Vic 3850 ph: (03) 5143 1600 familyviolence@gwhealth.asn.au