Since 1 February 2022, we have been advocating for the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Report, Recommendation 9.1, to be implemented as pilots in the bayside region of Melbourne, and the greater Ballarat region of Victoria. The Victorian government never committed to implement this recommendation in full, nor has it funded or implemented even the principles underpinning this recommendation.
Recommendation 9.1
"The Australian Government and state and territory governments should fund dedicated community support services for victims and survivors in each jurisdiction, to provide an integrated model of advocacy and support and counselling to children and adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Funding and related agreements should require and enable these services to:
a. be trauma-informed and have an understanding of institutional child sexual abuse
b. be collaborative, available, accessible, acceptable and high quality
c. use case management and brokerage to coordinate and meet service needs
d. support and supervise peer-led support models.”
Integrated services underpinned by the principle of 'no wrong door' means
- these pilots would benefit all Victorians living in those areas who have experienced child maltreatment not just institutional child sexual abuse,
- would benefit anyone living with trauma regardless of the cause, and
- means all Victorians in those areas requiring coordinated wellbeing and social services and supports, regardless of the cause, would also benefit.
As this recommendation of the Royal Commission acknowledged, achieving integrated services does require the collaboration of federal, state and terrority governments.
We will keep you updated on our continuing communications with the offices of the relevant federal members of parliament, Zoe Daniel and Catherine King this week.
We continue to communicate with the Victorian government, even though for over two years it has shown no interest in talking with us about services and supports that would save lives, and reduce the suffering of so many Victorians.
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The next Victorian Survivors and Supporters lunch is on Sunday 14th April 2024, doors open from 12 PM, at the Black Hill Hotel, 502 PEEL STREET NORTH, BLACK HILL, VICTORIA, 3350 (near Ballarat).
You can RSVP via the Facebook page or just turn up on the day.
All welcome!
https://fb.me/e/cZz5nqEE0