Support on hand despite hub wait

Grampians Community Health’s homelessness and family violence team is encouraging victims to come forward to seek help sooner rather than later.

The Grampians team will be an integral part of a regional safety hub – a recommendation from the Family Violence Royal Commission – that is among several being built across the state to help better co-ordinate and consolidate family violence services.

However, western Victoria might not get allocated safety hub until 2019.

Grampians team program co-ordinator Emily Clark said there was still comprehensive support available for victims right now.

“We encourage anyone experiencing, or who has experienced, family violence to contact us for support – they don’t have to wait until the safety hub is up and running,” she said.

“We have 14 experienced on-ground staff and our team has worked in the family violence space in the Grampians and Wimmera for decades.

“We cover a huge area, from Ararat to the South Australian border, with our staff offering counselling as well as practical support from helping a victim leave a violent situation, to finding them new accommodation and linking them into other its support services, such as mental health support. “We also support victims through court hearings and help empower them to move forward with their life through counselling.

“Victims don’t have to leave to access our support as we can safety plan and help them feel safer in their own home.”

Miss Clark said the homelessness and family violence team engaged with up to 500 victims annually, which equated to about two new cases a day.

“These victims all have varying degrees of support needs, but our staff work closely with each and every one to assess their requirements and tailor services to them,” she said.

“We ensure they each have the right level of support and can put them in touch with other service providers if they need it.

“We also engage male perpetrators through our Men’s Behaviour Change Program, which aims to reduce repeat offending and educate men about their behaviour and how it impacts on their partners. This service alone has helped educate 1300 men since it started in 2006.”

Miss Clark said people could call Grampians Community Health’s central intake number, 5358 7400, to talk to a team member.