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Edition 1 - November
Dear colleagues
Welcome to our first Family Violence AOD Community of Practice newsletter! We hope that this monthly addition to your inbox becomes a friendly resource as you navigate your newfound roles and responsibilities throughout the family violence reforms.
Designed specifically for the AOD sector, this newsletter will feature upcoming events, professional development opportunities, sector news and other resources aimed at strengthening your practice, management or leadership.
See something missing, or something that you think other clinicians, team leads or organisational leaders need to be made aware? Let us know! We're happy to receive any and all editorial input. You can email us at familyviolence@vaada.org.au.
Thank you - and happy reading,
Dejan Jotanovic and Sheridon Byrne
CLOSING THIS WEEK: Help shape your Family Violence AOD Community of practice! The 5-10 minute annual survey will let you choose which family violence issues you'd most like the COP to address, and your participation will be completely anonymous. A report featuring the findings from the survey will be sent made available to all COP members. Click here to participate in the annual survey.
Professional development and training
We have just released a MARAM Training Calendar which lists all upcoming training for AOD clinicians, practitioners, team leaders, managers and CEOs. We will be updating it monthly, and you can view it here.
MARAM Training
MARAM - Brief and Intermediate – Virtual
Provider: DVRCV
- Delivery mode: Interactive, one-day virtual session, LMS (9.15am – 4.30pm)
- Audience: Professionals whose purpose of intervention is linked to family violence but not directly focused on family violence
- Register here
MARAM - Leading alignment – Virtual
Provider: DVRCV
- Delivery mode: Interactive, 2x2 hour virtual sessions, LMS (9.30 am -12 pm, 2 pm - 4.30 pm)
- Audience: Team leaders, Managers, CEOs. Suited to those who have an understanding of MARAM.
- Register here
Unsure of which training is right for you? Consult the MARAM training decision tree.
Foundational knowledge
Family Violence Foundation
Provider: DVRCV
- Delivery mode: Self-paced, 16 modules across 4 streams, LMS
- Register here
Family Violence and Child Information Sharing Schemes and an introduction to MARAM framework
- Provider: DFFH
- Delivery mode: Self-paced, 1 module, LMS
- Register here
News from the FV sector
The United Nation’s international campaign – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
DV VIC has prepared several resources to help organisations participate in the 16 day campaign, including social media tiles, campaign posters and a campaign toolkit. You can view them here.
All Victorian universities will be equipped with the tools they need to prevent and stamp out gendered violence with the expansion of an innovative Our Watch program backed by the Victorian Government. Read more.
Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) conducted an online survey with over 10,000 women in Australia who had been in a relationship in the last 12 months and explored Intimate partner violence during COVID-19.
View the results at a glance here.
You can read the Premier's press release here, including the latest implemented recommendations.
MARAM Resources
Working with adults who use family violence
While there is no expectation for the AOD sector to use the MARAM perpetrator-focused Practice Guides and tools until training has commenced in 2022, Family Safety Victoria have prepared several resources for both clinicians and agency leaders to help familiarise yourselves with the guides.
Useful resources for clinicians and practitioners:
- MARAM Practice Guides video: this short, 6 minute video, steps through the purpose of the MARAM practice guides as a supporting resource for professionals and provides an overview of their structure. The video can be found at the following link under ‘Practice guide resources and tools’.
- MARAM Practice Guide FAQs: some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about the practice guidance. See here.
Useful resources for leaders and decision makers:
- Readiness Checklist (Perpetrator Guidance): recommended high-level steps for organisational leaders to align to the MARAM perpetrator guidance, prior to the release of training in 2022. This can be found at the following link under ‘Organisational focused resources’.
- Updated MARAM Responsibilities decision guide: updated decision guide (to include perpetrator practice) – guides decision making on assigning roles and responsibilities and core reading attached to the responsibilities. This can be found at the following link under ‘Organisational focused resources’.
MARAM Adult Person Using Family Violence: What Now? Web Series
No To Violence has launched a webinar series - "What Now?" - to help workforces familiarise themselves with the newly released MARAM Practice Guides. The first webinar will be on Tuesday 30th November, 10am - 12pm.
NTV recommends workers that are at a team leader, practice lead, and management appointment attend this session. You can register for the first webinar here.
It is important to note that these workshops will not be replacing any MARAM training that will be available in 2022
If in doubt, remember to consult the MARAM Navigator on the VAADA website, or reach out to your Specialist Family Violence Advisers for a consult.
Support directory
MARAM and Information Sharing
Contact the Information Sharing and MARAM Enquiry Line for practice and policy guidance.
- 1800 549 646 (10am-2pm, Mon-Fri)
Contact the Specialist Family Violence Adviser in your area
Secondary consultations
Are you working with someone who has, is, or you suspect will use or experience family violence? Here is who you can contact for additional support and guidance:
- Men's Referral Service (operated by No To Violence) - 1300 766 491
- SafeSteps - 1800 015 188
Contact us if you're unsure and we'll help refer you; familyviolence@vaada.org.au
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The evidence-based Family violence risk factors assist with determining the level of risk present for victim survivors.
For an explanation on each risk factor, including the three categories of risk, see here. For training in risk assessment and management, see the MARAM Brief and Intermediate training above.
*Bold indicates high risk
