SASVic acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional and ongoing Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded and recognise First Nations peoples' right to self-determination and continuing connection to land, waters, community and culture.
SASVic also acknowledges victim survivors of sexual violence who we work for every day. We acknowledge the pervasive nature of sexual violence, and the impact that it has on survivors and their communities. We celebrate the powerful advocacy of survivors that is changing systems and policy.
SASVic Member Update
Hi everyone,
I hope you're looking forward to a long weekend. A friendly reminder that SACL will be open on the public holiday (please see the important update below about their new phone system).
As many of you know, some staff from the sector will be heading off for a study tour in Europe the week after next. In the first week of the tour we'll be visiting the UK, followed by Ireland and Iceland. We'll be visiting a diverse range of sexual violence services, learning from advocates, policy makers and researchers about innovative models for preventing and responding to sexual violence. We'll provide any update on the tour in the next fortnightly update, but you can also keep up to date by following SASVic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sexual-assault-services-victoria
A reminder, as well, to sign-up for our annual general meeting on 13 November, where we'll hear from Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on the upcoming ALRC Inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence. Reserve your spot here: https://events.humanitix.com/2024-sasvic-annual-general-meeting
Below you'll find a roundup of news from the sector and beyond including our new research on the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist child sexual abuse workforce and an upcoming symposium where SASVic and Eastern CASA staff will be discussing non-fatal strangulation.
Phase Two of the Working Together: Strengthening Family and Sexual Violence Support with Multicultural Communities program will open in October.
Grants will be offered over two years to partnership projects focused on supporting system integration between multicultural organisations and specialist family and sexual violence services, to reduce barriers and improve responses to victim survivors from multicultural communities.
Applications will be invited from partnerships of at least one multicultural community organisations and one specialist family and/or sexual violence services.
There will be two streams:
- Stream 1: focused on service system integration with multicultural community organisations and specialist family violence services
- Stream 2: focused on service system integration with multicultural community organisations and specialist sexual violence services, including raising awareness of sexual violence service support in communities.
You may apply for one or both streams. Projects that have been extended from Phase 1 of the grants program can only apply for the new Stream Two (sexual violence).
We will send around the grant guidelines, application form and details about the October information session, when it becomes available.
The Institute of Community Directors Australia is currently offering 10% of the Certified Community Director training course.
The training course is a self-paced and covers important topics for new board members to understand, including governance, culture, strategic planning, managing and finding funds, community and conflict resolution.
Click the link below for more information and use the discount code AGM2024 by 30 September 2024 if you'd like to get the discount.
The Institute of Community Directors Australia provides training for not-for-profits and social enterprises.
New resources have been released by the Attorney-General's Department to help raise awareness among young people about coercive control.
The project aims to help young people identify coercive control and fund support and to help adults recognise it in young people's relationships and offer appropriate support.
An upcoming symposium aims to explore how to better respond to non-fatal strangulation in the context of domestic violence.
Monica Campo and Jacqui Bell from SASVic will be speaking about non-fatal strangulation in the context of sexual violence, including the legislative context in Victoria and the impact of pornography.
Melinda Dows and Rebecca O'Donnell from Eastern CASA will be speaking on the panel, Interlocking Systems of Power. They will be part of an exploration of how systemic discrimination impacts practice responses to non-fatal strangulation.
In recent months, there has been more coverage on the risks of non-fatal strangulation and a campaign and we saw the Breathless Campaign launched.
The symposium takes place 24 - 25 October in East Melbourne.
CASA House has put together a snapshot of the group work delivered at CASA House, including a brief history of its 21 years of group work and an exploration of the themes important to participants.
You can find a shorter and longer version of the snapshot below.
You can also read more about group across the sector in our previous edition.
Please contact aisha.jakszewicz@thewomens.org.au for more information.
One in 20 Australian adults have experienced reproductive coercion and abuse according to new research from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships.
Among the women surveyed:
- 3.9% had experienced contraceptive interference
- 2.7% had experienced forced sterilisation or contraceptive
- 4.9% had experienced forced abortion
- 1.9% had experienced forced pregnancy.
However, reproductive coercion is undereported and it sits at the nexus of family violence, sexual violence and sexual reproductive health, so is often missed.
Queensland's consent laws have now been brought into line with Victoria, NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania, by making affirmative consent law and recognising stealthing as a crime.
Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, says, "Laws on their own are not enough... we need to continue to educate, particularly younger Queenslanders on consent."
Women's Legal Service Chief Executive said that the changes help eliminate grey areas within the court system, "The law has a role to play in addressing problematic attitudes and myths in relation to sexual violence."
SASVic is developing a one-day introductory Clinical Supervision training package, and we will be running a pilot.
Date: Thursday 5th December 2024
Time: 10am to 3.30pm
Location: In-person at the SASVic office - 351 Elizabeth Street, Level 1, Melbourne VIC 3000
This pilot training is for practitioners(staff in clinical roles) who are working in sexual assault and/or harmful sexual behaviour services and are soon to be / currently providing clinical supervision.
At the end of the pilot, it is expected that participants will be able to:
- describe the core functions and models of clinical supervision (CS)
- discuss the frameworks that inform CS in the specialist sexual assault sector
- identify the core elements of effective clinical supervision.
- describe the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of an effective clinical supervisor
- discuss the role of CS in supporting professional wellbeing.
We are looking for eight to ten participants with mixed levels of experience in providing clinical supervision (experienced clinical supervisors, limited experience, or no experience but soon to be in a clinical supervisory role).
If you are interested in joining us for the pilot training, please complete the expression of interest (EOI) form below.
SASVic is delighted to announce that our new research report, Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: Mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors, is now available to read.
The research provides a clear picture of the knowledge and training needs of the specialist child sexual abuse workforce and the opportunities we have to build a thriving sector.
New research uses criminal history data for three birth cohorts in New South Wales to estimate the prevalence of recorded family and domestic violence offending.
The research found:
- A total of 6.3 percent of people born in NSW were found to have been proceeded against by police for a family and domestic violence offence by age 37.
- Overall, 1.2 per cent of people born in New South Wales were responsible for more than 50 per cent of recorded family and domestic violence offences.
- Further, family and domestic violence offenders accounted for nearly half of all recorded offences by people in the birth cohort.
The research was undertaken by the Australian Institute of Criminology in collaboration with Griffith Criminology Institute.
The Client Incident Management System (CIMS) is currently under review. The review covers the IT platform and incident reporting system itself. The review concludes in December 2024.
The new CIMS policy will be released on 11 October 2024 in preparation for new reporting requirements commencing on 9 October 2024.
What is the CIMS?
The CIMS, introduced in 2018, is the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's system to safeguard clients by providing timely and effective responses to incidents which harm them during service delivery, which in turn enables service providers to enhance service delivery by learning from incidents.
Last week, the Geelong Advertiser reported that offences involving child sexual abuse material have increase by 24 per cent in the year to March 2024. They called attention to data in Greater Geelong, from the five years to March 2024, where 43 of these offences were reported against minors and 84 offences were reported against adults.
Kathleen highlighted that the real numbers were realistically a lot higher, as well as how social media platforms and new apps popping up were making it difficult to tackle the issue through education.
Join WestCASA CEO and proud Gunditjmara woman, Annette Vickery, for a conversation about her leadership journey at Safe + Equal's October 'In Conversation' event.
You'll hear about the moments that shaped Annette as a leader, how she thinks about intersectional feminism in her work, and how she navigates the change, loss, and joys that come with leadership.
Safe + Equal has invited staff from the specialist sexual assault sector to join this event hosted by the Safe and Equal Leadership Network.
Details
Thursday 10 October
12.30pm-1.30pm
Online via Zoom
At the end of next month, we will be running our first cross-sector group for gay men who have experienced child sexual abuse.
The group will run online for 8 weeks, for 8 - 15 attendees. It is best suited to people who haven't received extensive support or information on sexual violence impacts and are seeking a supportive space with other gay men who may have had similar experiences.
Please promote the group as you feel appropriate. Below you'll find the flyer, social tiles and webpage. If you have any questions, please email comms@sasvic.org.au
To enquire, potential participants should call Eastern CASA on 9870 8330 and request to speak with intake.
New research is taking place to investigate the abuse and mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and/or asexual (LGTBQIA+) older people.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has partnered with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street services, to undertake the project, funded by the federal government.
The research includes:
- a survey of LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+
- interviews and focus groups with LGBTIQA+ adults who are 55 years+ or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 years.
Below you'll find information about the research, including details about the interview and focus groups, and suggested text for promoting the research to potential participants.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25 November to 10 December.
On Friday 22 November, the Walk Against Family Violence will kick off the 16 day event.
Contents
Featured
Upcoming grant round for Working Together: Strengthening Family and Sexual Violence Support with Multicultural Communities
Phase Two of the Working Together: Strengthening Family and Sexual Violence Support with Multicultural Communities program will open in October.
Grants will be offered over two years to partnership projects focused on supporting system integration between multicultural organisations and specialist family and sexual violence services, to reduce barriers and improve responses to victim survivors from multicultural communities.
Applications will be invited from partnerships of at least one multicultural community organisations and one specialist family and/or sexual violence services.
There will be two streams:
- Stream 1: focused on service system integration with multicultural community organisations and specialist family violence services
- Stream 2: focused on service system integration with multicultural community organisations and specialist sexual violence services, including raising awareness of sexual violence service support in communities.
You may apply for one or both streams. Projects that have been extended from Phase 1 of the grants program can only apply for the new Stream Two (sexual violence).
We will send around the grant guidelines, application form and details about the October information session, when it becomes available.
Mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist child sexual abuse workforce
SASVic is delighted to announce that our new research report, Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: Mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors, is now available to read.
The research provides a clear picture of the knowledge and training needs of the specialist child sexual abuse workforce and the opportunities we have to build a thriving sector.
It was clear from this research that the specialist sexual assault sector has a huge amount of practice wisdom and expertise, built up over decades and that working with survivors of child sexual abuse require specialist capabilities, knowledge and skills.
Thank you so much to all the practitioners who participated in the research and to Alice Hon at SASVic for making it possible.The research was funded by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.
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Service Design & Improvement
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to maria.papadontas@sasvic.org.au
Not Alone: Gay Men's Trauma Information Group
At the end of next month, we will be running our first cross-sector group for gay men who have experienced child sexual abuse.
The group will run online for 8 weeks, for 8 - 15 attendees. It is best suited to people who haven't received extensive support or information on sexual violence impacts and are seeking a supportive space with other gay men who may have had similar experiences.
Please promote the group as you feel appropriate. Below you'll find the flyer, social tiles and webpage. If you have any questions, please email comms@sasvic.org.au
To enquire, potential participants should call Eastern CASA on 9870 8330 and request to speak with intake.
A snapshot of peer-support group work at CASA House
CASA House has put together a snapshot of the group work delivered at CASA House, including a brief history of its 21 years of group work and an exploration of the themes important to participants.
You can find a shorter and longer version of the snapshot below.
You can also read more about group across the sector in our previous edition.
Please contact aisha.jakszewicz@thewomens.org.au for more information.
Update on the CIMS review
The Client Incident Management System (CIMS) is currently under review. The review covers the IT platform and incident reporting system itself. The review concludes in December 2024.
The new CIMS policy will be released on 11 October 2024 in preparation for new reporting requirements commencing on 9 October 2024.
What is the CIMS?
The CIMS, introduced in 2018, is the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's system to safeguard clients by providing timely and effective responses to incidents which harm them during service delivery, which in turn enables service providers to enhance service delivery by learning from incidents.
Advocacy & evidence
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to amy.webster@sasvic.org.au
Increase in child sexual abuse material offences
Last week, the Geelong Advertiser reported that offences involving child sexual abuse material have increase by 24 per cent in the year to March 2024. They called attention to data in Greater Geelong, from the five years to March 2024, where 43 of these offences were reported against minors and 84 offences were reported against adults.
Kathleen highlighted that the real numbers were realistically a lot higher, as well as how social media platforms and new apps popping up were making it difficult to tackle the issue through education.
Non-fatal Domestic Violence Strangulation - Learnings for Practice Symposium
An upcoming symposium aims to explore how to better respond to non-fatal strangulation in the context of domestic violence.
Monica Campo and Jacqui Bell from SASVic will be speaking about non-fatal strangulation in the context of sexual violence, including the legislative context in Victoria and the impact of pornography.
Melinda Dows and Rebecca O'Donnell from Eastern CASA will be speaking on the panel, Interlocking Systems of Power. They will be part of an exploration of how systemic discrimination impacts practice responses to non-fatal strangulation.
In recent months, there has been more coverage on the risks of non-fatal strangulation and a campaign and we saw the Breathless Campaign launched.
The symposium takes place 24 - 25 October in East Melbourne.
Research on the abuse and mistreatment of LGBTIQA+ older people
New research is taking place to investigate the abuse and mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and/or asexual (LGTBQIA+) older people.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has partnered with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street services, to undertake the project, funded by the federal government.
The research includes:
- a survey of LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+
- interviews and focus groups with LGBTIQA+ adults who are 55 years+ or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 years.
Below you'll find information about the research, including details about the interview and focus groups, and suggested text for promoting the research to potential participants.
NSW family and domestic violence offending prevalence data
New research uses criminal history data for three birth cohorts in New South Wales to estimate the prevalence of recorded family and domestic violence offending.
The research found:
- A total of 6.3 percent of people born in NSW were found to have been proceeded against by police for a family and domestic violence offence by age 37.
- Overall, 1.2 per cent of people born in New South Wales were responsible for more than 50 per cent of recorded family and domestic violence offences.
- Further, family and domestic violence offenders accounted for nearly half of all recorded offences by people in the birth cohort.
The research was undertaken by the Australian Institute of Criminology in collaboration with Griffith Criminology Institute.
One in 20 Australian adults have experienced reproductive coercion and abuse
One in 20 Australian adults have experienced reproductive coercion and abuse according to new research from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships.
Among the women surveyed:
- 3.9% had experienced contraceptive interference
- 2.7% had experienced forced sterilisation or contraceptive
- 4.9% had experienced forced abortion
- 1.9% had experienced forced pregnancy.
However, reproductive coercion is undereported and it sits at the nexus of family violence, sexual violence and sexual reproductive health, so is often missed.
Prevention
Please send any questions you have about our work in this area to jaeme.opie@sasvic.org.au
Affirmative consent now law in Queensland
Queensland's consent laws have now been brought into line with Victoria, NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania, by making affirmative consent law and recognising stealthing as a crime.
Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, says, "Laws on their own are not enough... we need to continue to educate, particularly younger Queenslanders on consent."
Women's Legal Service Chief Executive said that the changes help eliminate grey areas within the court system, "The law has a role to play in addressing problematic attitudes and myths in relation to sexual violence."
Other news
Coercive Control resources
New resources have been released by the Attorney-General's Department to help raise awareness among young people about coercive control.
The project aims to help young people identify coercive control and fund support and to help adults recognise it in young people's relationships and offer appropriate support.
16 Days of Activism 2024
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25 November to 10 December.
On Friday 22 November, the Walk Against Family Violence will kick off the 16 day event.
For more information, you can view Respect Victoria's 16 Days of Activism Toolkit and Safe and Equal's calendar of community events.
If you organisation is planning any events or campaigns, please do send them through to comms@sasvic.org.au
Follow SASVic for more updates.
Workforce training
Keep up to date with training and event opportunities for the sector by visiting the Workforce Training & Events page.
Bookings open now
If you are interested in registering for a training course, please speak with your manager. If you have any questions, please contact training@sasvic.org.au.
Working with Victim Survivors from a Migrant or Refugee Background
Join us on Tuesday 19 November from 10am to 1pm to improve your knowledge and skills for working with victim survivors from a refugee or migrant background. Hear speakers from InTouch, Multicultural Centre for Women's Health and WestCASA. Open to SASVic member services only. Free.
Introduction to the new Transfemme Practice Guide with Zoe Belle Gender Collective
Join SASVic, Starlady of Zoe Belle Gender Collective and CASA House on Tuesday 3 December, 9.45am to 11.15am, to learn more about 'Responding to the objectification, fetishisation and sexual exploitation of trans women and trans feminine people by cisgender men: A Transfemme Practice Guide'. Open to SASVic member services only. Free.
Webinars and events
Please check with your manager before registering, where appropriate.
Walk Against Family Violence
In Victoria, this event marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – a global campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Date: Friday 22 November
Time: 11am
Location: Birrarung Marr
Transfemme workshop
Zoe Belle Gender Collective is inviting practitioners who have existing experience or knowledge in working with trans and gender diverse people to learn and contribute practice wisdom.
Date: Friday, 22 November
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Thorne Harbour Health training rooms, 200 Hoddle St Abbotsford
Launch of new ANROWS report
ANROWS will be hosting a free online event to release a new research report, led by Professor Kerry Robinson, on sexual harassment of LGBTQ young people in the workplace.
Date: Tuesday 3 December
Time: (AEDT): 11.00am – 12.30pm
Location: Online via YouTube livestream
Margins to Mainstream launch
Join the online launch of Margins to Mainstream: Preventing violence against women with disabilities (M2M) and the Women's Health Service Network's (WHSN) bid for investment in the2025-26 Victorian state budget.
Date: Monday, 25 November
Time: 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Location: Online
National Redress Scheme workshop
The National Redress Scheme supports survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. In this half-day workshop, eight Victorian redress support services are collaborating to provide you with detailed information about how to assist clients on their journey.
Date: Thursday, 5 December
Time: 1pm - 4:30pm
Location: Holiday Inn Dandenong
Changing the landscape webinar
Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria will highlight new practice resources from Changing the landscape: A national resource to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities in this webinar for prevention practitioners. The webinar will have an Auslan interpreter and captioning.
Date: Wednesday 11 December
Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm
Conferences
Sector calendar
Below are some of the meetings happening across the sector. Please contact the meeting chair to find out more, including how you can join networks or comittees related to your area of work and interests.
WD Standing Committee
The Workforce Development Standing Committee provides advice to SASVic and supports the ongoing implementation and development of education and training projects, including but not limited to the workforce development program.
Kayti Murphy
catherine.murphy@sasvic.org.au
Resources and links
SASVic and member details
SASVic organisational structure with staff names and positions
Specialist Sexual Assault Sector Map
Here is a map that helps people find their local specialist sexual assault service.
National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence
SASVic is a member of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Assault (NASASV).
Acronyms
Here is a list of acronyms. Please let us know if you've discovered any more we should add.