The Hon Mary Wooldridge MP Minister for Mental Health Minister for Community Services Minister for Disability Services and Reform Friday 26 September 2014 Media release New funding to tackle Indigenous family violence Indigenous family violence projects across Victoria receive a $650,000 boost Thirty-eight projects funded through the Community Initiative Fund Napthine Government building safer communities A range of projects across Victoria are set to benefit from $650,000 in Coalition Government funding to help tackle family violence in Indigenous communities, Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said today. The projects are funded through the 2014-15 Indigenous Family Violence Community Initiative Fund and support the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy, a community-led initiative that aims to prevent, reduce and respond to family violence in communities, Ms Wooldridge said. I am delighted to announce 38 projects across Victoria will benefit from funding of up to $37,000 for innovative ways to prevent and raise awareness of family violence in the local Indigenous community. The Napthine Government continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to eradicating family violence and wants all communities to know that family violence is unacceptable anywhere, in any Victorian community, Ms Wooldridge said. Minister for Affairs Tim Bull said the initiative builds on the work of the Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities, the Victorian Government s 10-year plan to reduce family violence in the Indigenous community. Support for these projects demonstrates the commitment of the Victorian Coalition Government to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, Mr Bull said. This Government recognises that to tackle family violence we must support strong, robust and healthy families and improve education, awareness and prevention. The funded projects focus on engaging and supporting young people, Elders, women and men to raise awareness of family violence within local Indigenous communities and enable participants to develop strategies to address family violence. For more information about the Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities 10-year plan visit: http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/aboriginal-affairs/aboriginal-affairs-policy/indigenousfamily-violence A list of recipients is attached. Media Contact: Christabelle Adjoyan 0401 206 201 christabelle.adjoyan@minstaff.vic.gov.au Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au for more news
2014-15 Indigenous Family Violence Community Initiative Fund Grant Recipients Region: Barwon South-West COVERED BY $17,000 Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool, Corangamite, Colac- Otways, South Coast, Greater Geelong $7,000 Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool, Corangamite, Colac- Otways, South Coast, Greater Geelong $19,000 Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool, Corangamite, Colac- Otways, South Coast, Greater Geelong Tracks to Stronger Communities; Lateral Violence Community Workshops Part of Tracks to Stronger Communities; Aunty Libby Clark IFV Luncheon Dec 3 2014 Making your possum Skin The workshops aim to build the capacity of the Community by raising awareness around identifying Lateral Violence in the community. The activities will be conducted in five community forums and promoted as family strengthening initiatives that enhances knowledge on the different method of abuse. The IFVRAG will give a presentation on Projects that it has been involved in and upcoming CIF events: Guest Speaker: Nathan Lovett-Murray will talk about his life, career and passions his involvement in anti-violence/anti-racism campaigns and working with Youth in music, in sport & community. The training will be developed based on the principals of the Possum Skin Cloak practitioner training. It is a prevention project using both empowerment and narrative therapeutic approaches with women couched in a cultural contextualisation of human rights. $12,750 Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool Tucker IT A gathering once a month where groups will come together to plan and prepare meals for each other, Elders will be mentored by local youth in computer and technology skills. Elders will have the opportunity to share stories of past, educating and reconnecting the local youth with culture, whilst the youth educate and up skill the Elders to assist with living in today s modernised world. $3,500 Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool, Corangamite, Colac- Otways, South Coast, Greater Geelong Hunt and Gather To build stronger relationships between Vic Police and the Communities of the BSW. Promoting the antiviolence message by saying the Goolawan oath and visually by having promotional material worn at each activity (IFVRAG & ACLO banners and rashes ), speakers that reinforce the NO to violence message to participants and community members attending the activities. 1
COVERED BY Wathaurong Cooperative $4,000 South Coast, Greater Geelong Big Sis Lil Sis The project provides leadership development for post teen young women to enable them to implement activities through mentoring networks. To develop life skills in the areas of self-awareness, health, confidence building, money management, cultural connections and positive relationships, Family Violence Prevention Legal Service: Melbourne and support networks for teens. $2,750 Moyne, Warrnambool White Envelope Develop a protocol that when family violence is disclosed or suspected, white envelope will be distributed containing resources and information about family violence and services that may assist in relation to legal, financial, housing, domestic violence or counselling advice. Region: Central Gippsland COVERED BY Latrobe Community $20,000 City of Latrobe, Shire of Baw Baw, Bass Health Services Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire Local Indigenous Networks Auspice- Budjeri Napan Relationships Australia $3,750 City of Latrobe, Shire of Baw Baw, Bass Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire $15,250 East Gippsland, Wellington, Baw Baw, Latrobe, South Gippsland, Bass Coast Shire VACCA $20,000 City of Latrobe, Shire of Baw Baw, Bass Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire Choices for Women (CFW) Shaded Hands Art Project Brutha s Day Out Family Violence is not our culture This program will assist women in recognising and responding to incidents of family violence in their homes. Breaking the cycle of violence in the Koorie community is a key focus of the program outcomes. The Shaded Hands Art project is a collaborative art project for women and young people to come together and talk about the effects violence is having in their community. The project aims to build the capacity of men to enhance and establish their cultural identity, their place within the family, and to develop and enhance their understanding of family violence within community. This project will create a short film about family violence and will include Elders affected by violence. The film will be screened at an family day in Morwell which will be themed Strong Culture, Strong People, Strong Families. 2
Region: East Gippsland COVERED BY Lake Tyers Health $30,000 East Gippsland Shire Lake Tyers and Children s Trust Family Violence Services, & Lake Strategy Tyers Trust. Joint project between LTHCS and LTAT to address family violence issues in the community. LTAT will lead the development of Young Mum s activities with the support of LTHCS staff. LTHCS will lead the men s activities supported by LTAT in key activities. The two components of the project will use art and cultural activities to strengthen relationships, address key family violence issues and provide an avenue for engagement with specialist services. Region: Eastern Metropolitan Region COVERED BY Banmirra Arts $18,000 City of Boroondara, City of Knox, City of Manningham, City of Maroondah, City of Monash, City of Whitehorse and City of Yarra Ranges Worawa $18,000 City of Boroondara, City of Knox, City of College Manningham, City of Maroondah, City of Monash, City of Whitehorse and City of Yarra Ranges Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria (AFVPLS) Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) $18,000 City of Boroondara, City of Knox, City of Manningham, City of Maroondah, City of Monash, City of Whitehorse and City of Yarra Ranges $5,000 City of Boroondara, City of Knox, City of Manningham, City of Maroondah, City of Monash, City of Whitehorse and City of Yarra Ranges Building Cultural Resilience Youth Eastern Eaglehawks Developing purpose and destiny for youth in Eastern region Sisters Day Out Workshop Community Engagement Activities The project is aimed at building cultural resilience by linking young people to culture along with mentors both before and after the project. The project will engage young males in a football team as a portal to personal development, culture and pathway training to strengthen resilience and cultural connections. The Sisters Day Out workshops are based on general themes and wellbeing activities. The workshops support women to be prepared to handle incidents of family violence through being aware of their rights, knowing points of contact for assistance, and knowing people who can provide ongoing support. The project aims to continue raising awareness of the Indigenous Family Violence Action Group (IFVRAG), IFVS Primary Prevention Framework and the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy 10-year plan. 3
Region: Grampians Region COVERED BY Relationships $10,000 City of Ballarat, Pyrenees Shire, Golden Australia Victoria Plains Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire Goolum Goolum Cooperative $10,000 Rural City of Horsham, Shire of Northern Grampians, Shire of Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack Shire, West Wimmera Brutha s Day Out Wimmera Drumbeat The project aims to address Family and Lateral Violence as part of a holistic approach to building strength and capacity within men who attend. The project will link information with referral pathways to services that provide support and education about family violence and social and emotional wellbeing issues will assist with building respectful and healthy relationships. The DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationship Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes & Thoughts) program combines the therapeutic potential of musical expression with basic cognitive behavioural therapy to deliver a range of social learning outcomes, including emotional control, improved relationships and increased self-esteem. Wurega $5,000 Rural City of Horsham, Shire of Northern Grampians, Shire of Hindmarsh, City of Ballarat, Pyrenees Shire, Rural City of Ararat, Yarriambiack Shire, West Wimmera, Golden Plains Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire Strong Families T20 Blast The project will utilise community engagement principles to focus on the T20 Blast program to prevent family violence from occurring during the summer months and around significant calendar events. As referenced in the paper Domestic Violence Incident Peaks: Seasonal Factors, Calendar Events and Sporting Matches 2007, domestic violence incidences have been shown to increase during warmer months and around specific calendar events. VACSAL $11,925 City of Ballarat Connecting U The Connecting U Program is based upon the Unbullyable model consists of nine weekly 1.5 hour sessions that provide the young people an opportunity for self-reflection and development of skills they need to become more resilient, confident, self-aware members of their communities. Ballarat & District Cooperative $7,000 City of Ballarat Ballarat Bruthas Mens Group The project delivered over 12 months, aims to build the capacity of Men, to enhance and re-establish their social connectiveness, cultural identity, family relationships and status of men, and to develop a greater understanding of health, wellbeing and lateral/family violence within their community and family and its effects on them and others. 4
COVERED BY Family $13,000 Rural City of Horsham, Shire of Violence Prevention Northern Grampians, Shire of & Legal Service Hindmarsh Victoria Goolum Goolum Co-op auspice for the Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group (IFVRAG) application $2,075 Rural City of Horsham Shire of Northern Grampians, Shire of Hindmarsh, City of Ballarat, Pyrenees Shire, Rural City of Ararat, Yarriambiack Shire, West Wimmera, Golden Plains Shire, Hepburn Shire, Moorabool Shire Sisters Day Out - Horsham Junior Carnival The Sisters Day Out workshops are based on general themes and wellbeing activities. The workshops support women to be prepared to handle incidents of family violence through being aware of their rights, knowing points of contact for assistance, and knowing people who can provide ongoing support. The VACSAL Junior Football and Netball Carnival is an event that has become one of the largest gatherings of people in Victoria. The benefits of holding this event include: increased knowledge & connection of family ties, family strengthening, support for families to reduce barriers for participating in sport & recreation activities, raised profile of the Grampians IFVRAG within communities. Region: Hume COVERED BY Regional Information $11,277 Alpine Shire, Benalla Rural City and Advocacy Council, City of Greater Shepparton, Council Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Rural City of Wangaratta, Strathbogie Shire, Towong Shire, Wodonga Rural City Council Goulburn Valley Education Consultative Group $25,722 Alpine Shire, Benalla Rural City Council, City of Greater Shepparton, Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Rural City of Wangaratta Community Training and Engagement Activities Lateral Violence, Social Network and Sport Project These projects are aimed at addressing the Indigenous Family Violence Primary Prevention Framework and all objectives within the IFV Strategy Ten Year Plan. They will contribute to achieving the priorities within the Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group (IFVRAG) Action Plan with continued awareness of the Hume IFVRAG and IFV strategy Ten Year Plan. The Black Eagles Basketball Club will engage trained experts from across the Victorian community to provide information sessions on lateral violence and internet based social networks. Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service $22,000 Alpine Shire, Benalla Rural City Council, City of Greater Shepparton, Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Sisters Day Out Workshop The Sisters Day Out workshops are based on general themes and wellbeing activities. The workshops support women to be prepared to handle incidents of family violence through being aware of their rights, knowing points of contact 5
COVERED BY Rural City of Wangaratta, Strathbogie Shire, Towong Shire, Wodonga Rural City Council for assistance, and knowing people who can provide ongoing support. Region: Northern Loddon COVERED BY Dardi Munwurro $32,867 Rural City of Mildura, Rural City of Swan Hill, Shire of Buloke, Shire of Gannawarrr, Robinvale, Kerang Munatunga Elders, Robinvale Dardi Munwurro Men s Behaviour Program $26,132 Robinvale Re-connecting with culture and country To create safer families and communities across the Loddon Mallee Region through empowering men with self-awareness, accountability, and strategies to make healthy behavioural choices. The Elders have identified that inherent issues stemming from feelings of displacement, grief and loss can translate into anger confusion and a loss of self-esteem and identity. In turn, this can result in violence. The Re-connecting with Culture and Country activity will offer opportunities for the Elders to personally maintain strong links with their ity, their spirituality and their connection to country and land. Region: North Metropolitan COVERED BY Relationships $27,100 City of Moreland, City of Darebin, City Australia of Hume and City of Whittlesea Elizabeth Hoffman House $21,900 City of Moreland, City of Darebin, City of Hume and City of Whittlesea ACES $10,000 City of Moreland, City of Darebin, City of Hume and City of Whittlesea Marrin-ing Koolin Boolook Beyond Closed Doors: Family Violence Education and Empowerment Poster. Caring for Our Elders Tackling Elder Abuse through Information and Awareness Raising Supporting young men to learn about non-violent relationships through the wisdom of Elders. Develop and distribute communications promoting the prevention of family violence. One day conference to provide a safe place for Elders to discuss Elder abuse and increasing violence against Elders arising from abuse of the drug ice. 6
Region: Southern Loddon COVERED BY Family $22,000 Southern Loddon Mallee and being Violence Prevention delivered in Echuca. Legal Service Shire of Campaspe, Shire of Loddon Women s Health Loddon Mallee $37,000 Communities within the Loddon Area. Shire of Campaspe, Shire of Loddon Dilly Bag: The Journey Workshop. Loddon Community Prevention Projects The Dilly Bag program aims to help women to recover from trauma they have experienced in their lives, and also to provide a foundation for women to reach their life potential and to consider future life choices. Projects will be designed to provide people with tools to develop their cultural resilience in dealing with issues around family violence. This will be done by Strengthening community networks; Providing participants opportunities to culturally connect to community and place; and Increase/improve resilience by providing/introducing tools around family violence. Region: Southern Metropolitan COVERED BY Relationships $15,250 City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington, Australia - Victoria. Glen Eira, City of Bayside, City of Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Casey, Cardinia, Mornington Inner South Community Health Inner South Community Health Peninsula $8,010 City of Casey, City of Port Phillip, City of Kingston, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Frankston, City of Monash, Shire of Cardinia, City of Glen Eira, City of Stonnington, City of Melbourne $22,000 City of Casey, City of Port Phillip, City of Kingston, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Frankston, City of Monash, Shire of Cardinia, City of Glen Eira, City of Stonnington, City of Melbourne Brutha s Day Out Have a Chat Possum Skin Cloak The project aims to build the capacity of men to enhance and establish their cultural identity, their place within the family, and to develop/enhance their understanding of family violence. The ongoing Have a Chat health sessions will bring awareness to the community through education of what is family violence and how to address it when it arises. Family Strengthening Program strengthening family through connecting to culture & ancestors through the traditional practice of making possum skin cloaks. Bringing families together in a positive manner and healing family trauma. City of Casey $9,000 City of Casey, City of Port Phillip, City SMR Elders Reinforcing culture respect for Elders. Feedback from Elders 7
COVERED BY of Kingston, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Frankston, City of Monash, Shire of Cardinia, City of Glen Eira, City of Stonnington, City of Melbourne Lunch groups conducted in June to have a gathering to promote white ribbon ambassadors, hear from a survivor of family violence and to bring along a young person, to provide the young person the exposure to Elders and reinforce cultural respect. Region: West Metropolitan COVERED BY Moondani Balluk $20,500 City of Brimbank, City of Hobsons Bay, Victoria University City of Moonee Ponds, City of Melton, City of Wyndham Many Mobs, One Community Series of Culturally Safe workshops designed to create community awareness of the different forms of family violence /lateral violence and the services available to assist, and include cultural connections, collaboration and partnerships between community and service providers. 8