1. Centre for Non-Violence
Responding to Personal Crises in the Workplace - Family Violence Information Session
Presenter: Cate Maloney
Client Services

2. Information session overview:
What is family violence (definition, key indicators and prevalence)
What are the potential role and responsibilities of organisations in responding to family violence in the workplace
What can you do within your organisational environments?

3. Defining family violence in Victoria
The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 is any act towards a family member that does that following:
1) Behaviour that is:
Physically, sexually, emotionally, psychologically or economically abusive
Threatening or coercive
Controls or dominates
Causes fear for the safety or well-being of themselves or another person
2) Behaviour that causes a child to hear, witness or otherwise be exposed to the effects of any behaviour referred to above.
Family Violence Protection Act 2008
Legal definition – all inclusive 3

4. Domestic Violence it’s not just physical
Physical – Kicking, pushing, punching, slapping, hitting
Intimidation – Threats, standing over, smashing things
Social – Isolation, not allowing partner to friends and family
Sexual – Rape, making someone unwillingly do a sexual act, pornography, make up and keep the peace sex, sexual pressure
Financial – Not allowing someone to work, taking control of money
Emotional – Name calling, put downs, humiliating and degrading comments
Spiritual – not allowing someone to practice their beliefs and forced beliefs
Stalking – following, tracking, checking s/social media/phone messages/diaries

6. CNV Integrated Client Services: Key entry points & referral pathways
Consent:
Obtain consent
Referral from employer with consent
Meet with client at CNV or other setting
Obtain Phone Number and the best time to call
Safety planning
Offer ongoing support
Follow up appointment
CNV will call
client

7. Indicators of family violence present? NO
No action required
YES
Ask questions to detect family violence NO
Person discloses family violence
Respect person’s answers and provide information about help that is available if they ever find themselves in a family violence situation
Prompts – what are some questions you could ask?
What to do if a person discloses violence
Immediate danger
If in immediate danger and person IS willing to receive assistance, refer to Police and/or Specialist Family Violence service for full assessment
If in immediate danger but person NOT willing to receive assistance, consider referral to Police
If not in immediate danger and person NOT willing to receive assistance, provide information about help that is available and monitor closely

8. Children are involved YES NO No other action required
Are children at risk?
Concern for child’s wellbeing?
YES
YES No
Refer to Child Protection
Refer to Child FIRST
Monitor situation

9. Male victims of family violence
All violence is wrong, regardless of the sex of the victim or perpetrator. But there are distinct patterns in the perpetration and impact of some of the most common forms of violence in Australia that point to gender being a key factor.
The overwhelming majority of acts of domestic violence and sexual assault are perpetrated by men against women, and where men experience violence in their relationship, it is still most likely to be at the hands of a male.
This doesn’t negate the experiences of men who are victims of violence in their relationships. But it does point to the need for an approach that looks honestly at what the research is telling us, and addresses the gendered dynamics of family violence.

10. What can you do within workplace environments to respond to family violence and create gender equity?
Employee Assistance Program and supports
Policies
Training/education
Resources and messaging around the workplace
Participate in prevention activities
Better identify and respond to family violence
Build relationships with specialist family violence services (referrals, secondary consults and partnerships)
Advertise EAP and available supports
Policies - Gender equity and Family Violence Clause and leave
Training/education (have a key contact, bystander training, responding to disclosures training)
Participate in prevention activities (eg. Celebrate International Women’s Day, 16 days of Activism)
Examples of organisations that have implemented policies and practice Bendigo Health (Strengthening Hospital Responses), Coliban Water and City of Greater Bendigo (training for all staff)

11. Key contact and referrals
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
Key contact and referrals
Emergency
000 – for emergency assistance for police, fire or ambulance
1800 RESPECT (National)
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (Victoria) 24/7 crisis support for women and children
Men’s Referral Service
The lookout