Western Region Victims Assistance and Counselling Program

WRHC employs 300 Staff Provides services across 8 different sites in the West. Medical, dental, allied health within the framework of the social model of health

Integrated Counselling & Support Intake Victims Assistance & Counselling Program Integrated Family Violence Counselling for Women Generalist Counselling Counselling & Support Services

Counselling and Support Services WRHC has adopted an integrated approach to accessing counselling and support services Services provided: –Initial needs assessment –Assess eligibility and priority –Single session counselling/duty appointment –Provision of relevant information –Assisted referral to other services – where appropriate –Managed waiting list

Coverage Clients come from the Western region Maribyrnong Moonee Valley Melton Hobson’s Bay Wyndham Brimbank Some parts of the city of Melbourne

Services Victims Assistance and Counselling Program (VACP) –Provides case management to children, young people and adults who are victims of violent crime. –Responds to: Victims of physical assault including family violence Children who have witnessed assault (e.g. their mothers have been assaulted by partners) Adult sexual assault Other violent crimes against the person

Eligibility The person is a victim of violent crime The crime occurred in Victoria The crime occurred in the last 2 years The crime was reported to the Police

VACP – Different Victim Types Primary victim is a person who is injured or dies as a result of violence against him or her from: –act of violence committed against them –trying to stop/prevent commission of a violent act –trying to help/rescue someone who is a victim of an act of violence Secondary victim is a person who is: –present at the scene of a violent act and is injured as a direct result from witnessing that act –injured as a direct result of becoming aware of a violent act IF he/she is the parent or guardian of a primary victim under the age of 18 at the time of the act Related victim is a person who: –was a close family member or dependent of a primary victim who died as a result of the violent act –had an intimate personal relationship (at the time of the attack) with a primary victim who died as a result of the violent act

VACP Services the whole of the Western metropolitan region Clients can be seen at Footscray for case management or at other sites as deemed useful to the client Outposting to Werribee & Melton

Case management Information on rights/options Information about the effects of trauma Support with advocating to police regarding the police investigation Information about/support with Court processes Practical support

Case Management cont.. Information about & referral to legal advice for VOCAT (Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal) applications Liaison with, referral to, and advocacy with other organisations e.g. Office of Housing Brokerage to meet some immediate needs Assistance with preparation of Victim Impact Statements

Children’s counsellor VACP program has a specialist children’s counsellor for children who have been primary or secondary victims of crime.

Accessing Services Referrals are made directly to Intake Counsellors on: (03) 8398 – 4178 Western Region Health Centre 72 Paisley Street, Footscray