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Published by:
Family Safety Victoria
Date:
9 Aug 2021

The first Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022 provides a foundation for system and organisational change ensuring everyone has equitable and inclusive access to family violence services no matter who they are or where they turn to for help.

The Blueprints target government as their key audience, particularly departments and agencies with responsibilities for family violence reforms and implementation of associated Royal Commission recommendations. However, many actions within each Blueprint will be achieved through partnerships between government and community service organisations

The Blueprint will work to embed an intersectional approach that identifies and removes the systemic and structural barriers of discrimination across the service system. This will enable a system that is inclusive and responsive, and which places individuals and Victoria’s diverse population at the centre of our work.

This first Blueprint lays the foundations to achieve the Everybody Matters: Inclusion and Equity Statement's (the Statement) 10-year vision by concentrating on actions under each of the three strategic priorities of the Statement (see Figure 2). Those implementing the Blueprint will seek to achieve a number of outcomes over the three years – all of which will contribute to achieving our long-term vision of an inclusive, safe, accountable and responsive service system for all Victorians.

Acknowledgement

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Aboriginal Acknowledgement

The Victorian Government acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely. We acknowledge and respect that Aboriginal communities are steeped in traditions and customs built on a disciplined social and cultural order that has sustained 60,000 years of existence. We acknowledge the significant disruptions to social and cultural order and the ongoing hurt caused by colonisation. We acknowledge the ongoing leadership role of Aboriginal communities in addressing and preventing family violence. We recognise Dhelk Dja–Safe Our Way: Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families as the key Aboriginal-led Victorian agreement that commits the signatories – Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal services and government – to work together and be accountable for ensuring that Aboriginal people, families and communities are stronger, safer, thriving and living free from family violence.

Throughout this document the term ‘Aboriginal’ is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Acknowledgement to Victim Survivors

Due to its far-reaching impacts in the community, when we speak about family violence it is likely that a significant percentage of the audience have been directly impacted or have some personal experience of family violence. The Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council (VSAC) has emphasised the importance of acknowledging all victim survivors who have experienced or are currently experiencing family violence, including those who have been killed as a result of family violence. We acknowledge that it is for victim survivors that we undertake this work.

Family Violence Support

If you have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing assistance, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) to talk to a counsellor from the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence hotline.

In Victoria, for confidential support and information, contact Safe Steps’ 24/7 family violence response line on 1800 015 188.

If you are concerned for your safety or that of someone else, please contact the police in your state or territory, or call 000 for emergency assistance.

If you are concerned about your own behaviour, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 - a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues.

Introduction

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Launched in April 2019 by the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, the Everybody Matters: Inclusion and Equity Statement (the Statement) is a 10-year commitment that supports Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change. The vision of the Statement is to build an inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable family violence system for all.

Applying an intersectionality framework, the Statement outlines a pathway towards a more inclusive family violence system by investing in systemic change and building our knowledge, capabilities and specialisation to achieve a system that is responsive to all Victorians.

The Statement is a key response to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (Royal Commission) which called for more accessible, inclusive and non-discriminatory service provision, including for people from diverse communities.

The Statement was developed following a comprehensive consultation process undertaken by Family Safety Victoria (FSV). Consultation began in late 2017 and involved people with lived experience of family violence, practitioners, community leaders, government representatives and the Diverse Communities and Intersectionality (DCI) Working Group. The DCI Working Group brings together representatives from the community sector, Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council, and government. Through the development of the Statement, we heard directly from people with lived experience and sector stakeholders about what is needed to achieve an inclusive, responsive, safe and accountable system for all, and what success will look like in ten years.

Three successive Inclusion and Equity Blueprints (Blueprints) covering 2019-2022, 2022–2025 and 2025-2029 will provide the framework to implement the Statement.

Inclusion and Equity Blueprints

The actions in the Blueprint have been designed to complement those in the second Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan (RAP) 2020-2023. The RAP is the next step towards finalising the implementation of all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The RAP focuses on the second phase of key initiatives and actions of the Victorian Government’s 10-year agenda to end family violence.

While the Blueprint focuses predominantly on early intervention and response aspects of the family violence system, it also acknowledges the importance of a commitment to equitable and inclusive engagement of Victoria’s diverse population in primary prevention programs. The Blueprint provides some high-level information about planned primary prevention action with a specific inclusion and equity focus; further detail can be found in the Free from Violence strategy action plans and forthcoming resources from Respect Victoria.

The development of this first Blueprint has been overseen by the DCI Working Group and the Inclusion and Equity Family Violence Cross-Government Working Group – comprising representatives from across government who are responsible for implementing recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The Blueprints are not static – they will be agile and evolve to reflect the changing nature of the family violence reform environment. This will allow that the Blueprints remain relevant and responsive to emerging needs and evidence, including feedback from people from diverse communities, in particular those with lived experience of family violence. All actions listed in this Blueprint are Victorian Government funded initiatives at the time of publication.

The Blueprint is also a mechanism to enable government to invest in and closely monitor the effectiveness of the range of family violence supports and responses for diverse communities to ensure the sustainability of intended outcomes.

Dhelk Dja Three-Year Action Plan

The actions listed in the Blueprint complement the first Dhelk Dja Three-Year Action Plan 2019-2022 which outlines strategic actions and investments over the next three years to bring the vision of Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way - Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families to life. The Dhelk Dja vision is for a future where Aboriginal people are culturally stronger, safer and self-determining, with families and communities living free from family violence (Appendix one). To avoid duplication of activities, initiatives that are listed in the Dhelk Dja Action Plan have not been listed in the Blueprint unless they are working with more than one diverse community group.

Inclusive language

Wherever possible, inclusive language has been used throughout this Blueprint. Inclusive language consists of terms free from prejudice, discrimination and stereotyped views of individuals or groups of individuals. Inclusive language provides a sense of recognition, belonging and common identity. It allows people to be listened to and treated with dignity, feel welcome and able to approach services. Above all, inclusive language is respectful and promotes acceptance of and values all individuals. Definitions of the inclusive language used in this Blueprint are included at Appendix three.

Figure 1. Diverse communities

  • Download 'Figure 1. Diverse communities'

Overview of the 2019-2022 Blueprint

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022

Figure 2: Overview of the 2019-2022 Blueprint

  • Download 'Figure 2: Overview of the 2019-2022 Blueprint'

Strategic priorities and actions

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

The Statement

The Everybody Matters 10-year Statement sets out 3 strategic priorities to achieve the vision and directions required to realise a more inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable family violence service system:

  • Strategic Priority 1 – Building knowledge
  • Strategic Priority 2 – Building capacity and capability
  • Strategic Priority 3 – Strengthening targeted services

The strategic priorities require all of us to make a commitment to innovation, collaboration and placing the voices of individuals and diverse communities at the centre of our work. The priorities address the gaps that have been identified by the Royal Commission into Family Violence in creating a system that is inclusive and responds to all people; and focus on shifting the responsibility for ending family violence from the individual experiencing and/or using family violence to government, the service system and whole of community. This will enable people with lived experience of family violence to receive the support they need to feel safe and meet their wider needs; and change the way the service system works with people who use violence to support their behaviour change and accountability for their actions.

The Blueprint

In this first 3-year Blueprint, actions are outlined against each strategic priority. These actions focus on reflecting the long-term partnership required between government, organisations within the entire service system–including prevention, early intervention and response–to bring about change. These actions are essential to achieving the 3-year outcomes which in turn leads to achieving the longer-term vision of the Everybody Matters Statement.

The Blueprint prompts government and the broader family violence service system to incorporate an intersectional lens into its work. This is essential in identifying and addressing the intersecting forms of systemic oppression and inequity reflected in our system, and in driving attitudinal and structural change in the long-term. The service system is multi-layered. No individual action will reduce the inherent discrimination or bias held within the service system and the social and cultural context in which family violence is generated.

Actions in this Blueprint have a strong focus on diverse communities. An intersectional approach provides us with a framework to better understand what the systemic barriers are and how these barriers manifest. The Blueprint seeks to balance the first stages of applying an intersectionality lens to the reforms, while maintaining a focus on the specific needs and experiences of diverse communities.

Over the next 3years, intersectionality will be further embedded across the family violence reforms as capability increases. As a result, future Blueprints will better identify, and address intersecting systemic issues faced by individuals who identify with multiple diverse communities and experience intersecting barriers to accessing services.

The Blueprint complements other work occurring across the family violence and sexual assault reforms, such as The Orange Door network and the redeveloped Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework (MARAM). MARAM aims to embed an intersectional approach in all risk assessment and management tools and in operational practice guidance. The suite of family violence risk identification, screening and assessment tools under the MARAM Framework includes questions specifically relating to risks for diverse communities. Further, training on the redeveloped framework emphasises the gendered and intersectional nature of family violence, contributing to a strengthened understanding of the specific experiences of people from diverse groups.

Monitoring our progress

A monitoring plan for the Blueprint will be implemented in year 2 (2020-21). Through the monitoring plan, implementation of the actions in this Blueprint will be tracked. The monitoring plan will cover the many actions already underway. Through monitoring progress, evidence will be gathered about what works and how implementation occurs across different sectors and workforces. This evidence will inform the development of future Blueprints and the activities therein.

The monitoring plan will further define indicators for activity, intermediate outcomes, longer-term outcomes and impact. The plan will also identify appropriate measures, data sources, data collection tools and analytical approaches. FSV will seek input from other government departments, the specialist family violence sector, the broader family violence sector, representative organisations from diverse communities, and people with lived experience.

There are significant monitoring and evaluation efforts underway across government covering many elements of the family violence reforms. This monitoring plan will to the greatest extent feasible leverage existing data collection mechanisms, and aim to contain the administrative burden on implementing agencies.

Everybody Matters and this Blueprint contribute towards achieving the ten-year vision of https://www.vic.gov.au/ending-family-violence-victorias-10-year-plan-ch… https://www.vic.gov.au/ending-family-violence-victorias-10-year-plan-change. The Theory of Change that underpins Everybody Matters identifies the domains and outcomes within Ending Family Violence to which these activities contribute. The vision of an inclusive, safe, responsible and accountable system – as stated in Everybody Matters - is reflected across the system domain of the Whole of Victorian Government Family Violence Outcomes Framework. Outcomes include:

  • The family violence system is accessible, and services and programs are available and equitable – prevention activities occur across all key settings and the support system is easy to navigate and services are available to people when and where they need them, at all times of the day and night
  • The family violence system is person-centred and responsive – services are personalised, flexible, culturally relevant and reflect individual and family voices, need and circumstances, particularly for diverse communities and those with complex needs
  • The family violence system is integrated – services work together and share information to provide a coordinated quality response to people and families, informed by dynamic risk assessment and sensitive to people’s diverse needs. The system supports effective and evidence-based prevention efforts.

Monitoring against indicators within the Blueprint (figure 2 on previous page) is expected to support reporting against the Family Violence Outcomes Framework. This will enable ongoing, systematic measurement of the impact of these interventions across government funding agencies and portfolios.

The Blueprint will be implemented by relevant departments and agencies, particularly those with responsibility for family violence reform and implementation such as FSV, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (MCV), Victoria Police (Vic Pol), Department of Education and Training (DET), Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and Respect Victoria (RV).

Strategic priority 1: building knowledge

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Building knowledge focuses on research and enhancing data collection to fill gaps in current knowledge across the breadth of the system from prevention to response.

Understanding the drivers of violence, and unique experiences of people who access the service system – from early intervention to response – will be vital in measuring effectiveness and impact to inform ongoing innovation. It will enable us to direct family violence funding in a more effective way to the responses that make a difference in achieving access and inclusion for all.

For too long the voices and lived experience of family violence for people from diverse communities have not been central to systemic change. We know that there is a significant gap in research and data collection around inclusion, access and the service system, and that this needs to be addressed in order to enhance the service system response.

Addressing these gaps will take time. During this first Blueprint, the focus of actions is to better understand the current state of affairs, invest in improved data collection, and invest in developing research and evidence. This ensures we have a greater understanding of who is and isn’t accessing the service system. This information will be used in future Blueprints and across the family violence sector reform to ensure evidence-informed systems change and interventions.

In 3 years…
There is increased evidence and research on experiences of family violence, service system responses to victim survivors and perpetrators of family violence, and systemic barriers to engagement for people from Victoria’s diverse communities.

Actions to implement mechanisms to share data and research across Government and broader service sectors

Indicator: mechanisms implemented to share data and research across Government and broader service sectors

Actions

Lead and partners Duration1 and progress
1.1 Showcase inclusive practice examples, informed by an intersectionality framework, and share learnings from the development of the Intersectionality Capacity Building Project. FSV and DJCS

2020-21 (in progress)

1.2 Identify and map current interventions, practice resources and tools for adolescent family violence including enhancing understanding of identifying and responding to adolescent family violence in diverse communities. FSV

2019-21 (in progress)

1.3 Utilise program data and research to explore the systemic barriers to accessing services for and experiences of people from multicultural communities, older people, people from LGBTIQ communities and people with disabilities. OPFVC, MA, Respect Victoria, DFFH & FSV (partners)

2019-21 (in progress)

Actions to improve data on diverse communities to better inform service design and delivery

Indicator: improved data on diverse communities to better inform service design and delivery

Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress
1.4 Undertake the 2019 Census of Workforces that Intersect with Family Violence (Census) as part of action 3.2 in the Strengthening the Foundations: First Rolling Action Plan 2019-2021 and future Census to establish a baseline for the workforce demographics across the sector. FSV

2019-22 (in progress)

1.5 Implement the Family Violence Data Collection Framework (FVDCF) created by DPC. The FVDCF is a non-mandatory tool to help service providers and agencies standardise the collection of administrative information, improve data collection practices and subsequently advance the existing evidence base concerning family violence in Victoria. It is not intended to resolve all data quality and limitations across the reform; instead, implementation of the FVDCF will improve data collection activities to support the collection of more robust demographic data. It is the responsibility of government departments, agencies and service providers to determine how each data collection standard can fit into their data collection guidelines and infrastructure

FSV, DFFH, DJCS, Vic Pol

2019-21 (in progress)

1.6 Adopt an intersectional approach to data collection and outcomes measurement to better understand overlap, discrimination, marginalisation and over-representation as it relates to service use. This includes embedding systemic outcomes measurement through the family violence outcomes framework and a dedicated outcomes framework in children and families service reform. The frameworks will include indicators and measures relating to lived experience and the needs and circumstances of diverse communities

DFFH (Children, Families, Communities & Disability Division), FSV

2020-22 (in progress)

Actions to increase collaboration with people with lived experience in the design and delivery of family violence services

Indicator: increased collaboration with people with lived experience in the design and delivery of family violence services

Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress

1.7 Develop a whole of Victorian Government family violence research program, including a research agenda, that is underpinned by lived experience, and intersectional approach and Aboriginal self-determination

FSV, RV (leads) DJCS, DFFH, OPFVC

2020-21 (in progress)

1.8 Undertake the second evaluation of The Orange Door network including reporting on client experience and access.

FSV, DFFH

2020-22 (not commenced)

1.9 Support the establishment and continuity of Victim Survivors’ Advisory Groups and people from diverse communities (as identified in figure 1.) with lived experience of family violence across government, and share learnings to inform service improvement and development.

FSV, MA

2019-21 (in progress)

Actions to increase trials and evaluations of new approaches to interventions to build the policy evidence base

Indicator: increased trials and evaluations of new approaches to interventions to build the policy evidence base
Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress
1.10 Undertake new evaluation and research initiatives that identify the impact of primary prevention programs and the attitudes and beliefs which underpin the drivers of family violence and all forms of violence against women.

OPFVC, DFFH

2019–21 (in progress)

1.11 Develop a purpose-built data platform to support Victorian Government primary prevention planning.

RV (lead), CSA,(partner)

2019–20 (in progress)

1.12 Fund and evaluate Elder Abuse Prevention Initiatives.

DFFH (lead), OPFVC (partner)

2020–21 (in progress)

1.13 Trial and evaluate the integrated model of care for responding to suspected elder abuse initiative that builds capacity to improve prevent and respond to elder abuse.

DFFH

2021-22 (in progress)

1.14 Commission research to analyse perpetrators of family violence and their service pathways. The research will explore the interplay between perpetrator characteristics, offence trajectories, offending patterns and interactions with health and social services and criminal justice agencies.

DFFH (lead), DJCS, Vic Pol

2020-21 (in progress)

1.15 Rollout the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s (DJCS) Family Violence Perpetrator Intervention Grants initiative by funding five projects to pilot and evaluate innovative and emerging models of best practice in perpetrator interventions. The grants will deliver funding to programs that target women and gender diverse perpetrators, male perpetrators with complex needs, perpetrators who are fathers and Aboriginal men who use violence.

DJCS

2019-21 (in progress)

1.16 Implement seven cohort trials for people who use violence and statewide case management including dedicated services for people from Aboriginal and LGBTIQ communities.

FSV

2020-22 (in progress)

1.17 Build upon existing research and pilot projects on the drivers of violence against women with disabilities, people from LGBTIQ communities, Aboriginal communities and older Victorians.

OPFVC, MA, RV, DFFH (partner)

2019-21 (in progress)

1.18 Monitor and evaluate the Multicultural Affairs Family Violence Work Package against the Family Violence Outcomes Framework, as well as to test its broader effectiveness and impact for multicultural communities.

OPFVC

2021-22 (in progress)

1.19 Complete the Courts’ Family Violence Reform evaluation which will examine access and equity of the services provided, particularly within the Specialist Family Violence Courts (SFVC) model.

CSV/MCV

2019-23 (in progress)

1 The timelines listed in the Blueprint cover financial years, and specify when the activity is expected to be completed.

Acronyms

  • FSV - Family Safety Victoria
  • DJCS - Department of Justice and Community Safety
  • OPFVC - Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination
  • MA - Multicultural Affairs
  • DFFH - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  • Vic Pol - Victoria Police
  • RV - Respect Victoria
  • CSA - Crime Statistics Agency Victoria
  • CSV - Court Services Victoria
  • MCV - Magistrates' Court of Victoria

Strategic priority 2: building capacity and capability

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022

The onus is on government and the service system to change processes and practices to improve access and equity for all. This will shift the service system culture from one that can perceive individual identity as the barrier, to one where there are no systemic barriers for anyone, anywhere to access an appropriate service response.

Building capacity at an organisational level and building workforce capability across the broader family violence system – including in government, specialist family violence and universal services – is vital to achieving the vision of an inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable system for all Victorians. It is a complex process that requires awareness raising, increased knowledge and skills, and improved understanding. During the initial three-year period investment will focus on this foundational awareness and knowledge across the specialist workforce; the essential precursor to organisational and system capability building.

Strengthening the Foundations: First Rolling Action Plan 2019-21 (Strengthening the Foundations) is the first of three Rolling Action Plans that will work towards achieving the long-term vision for workforces that intersect with family violence, as outlined in Building from Strength: 10-Year Industry Plan for Family Violence Prevention and Response (Building from Strength). The implementation of Strengthening the Foundations will be critical in supporting the sector to achieve this strategic priority.

In three years…

Specialist family violence services have increased awareness of intersectionality. Specialist and broader family violence workers have increased knowledge about intersectionality and its relevance to their work.

The family violence workforce better reflects the diversity of Victorian communities

Actions to increase workforce capacity to embed culturally safe, inclusive and intersectional practices

Indicator: increased workforce capacity to embed culturally safe, inclusive and intersectional practices

Actions

(*see end of page for acronyms used in this table)

Lead and partners Duration and progress
2.1 Enhance organisations understanding of intersectionality, recognition of family violence and structural inequality and barriers to service access across diverse communities through the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Framework (MARAM) and Practice Guides. Implementing the MARAM Practice Guides and tools to build specialist services’ capacity to embed an intersectionality framework across all levels of organisations and promote recognition of the broad range of experiences and spectrum of risk across the community. FSV 2019-22 (in progress)

2.2 Develop and implement the first Inclusion Action Plan for The Orange Door network to ensure The Orange Door areas are accessible and accommodating for the entire community including the diverse communities identified through the Royal Commission.

FSV 2020-21 (in progress)

2.3 Implement the new disability family violence practice leader initiative to improve family safety outcomes for children, young people and adults with a disability.

FSV 2019-22 (in progress)

2.4 Develop and implement the Intersectionality Capacity Building Project to support all levels of organisations from leadership to practitioner to enhance their understanding of intersectionality and embed this into practice.

FSV

2019-22 (in progress)

2.5 Support all State Government-funded family violence service providers to undertake the HOW2 LGBTIQ Program. Support 26 service providers, including six Aboriginal services to undertake Rainbow Tick accreditation.

FSV 2019-22 (in progress)

2.6 Fund the Family Violence Justice Project Worker to raise awareness of the circumstances and complex needs of women who have been in prison and have experienced family violence. The role will assist family violence services to be more accessible.

FSV 2019-22 (in progress)

2.7 Deliver a coordinated suite of LGBTIQ family violence capacity building initiatives in mainstream family violence and sexual assault service sectors, including The Orange Door network, to improve service access, inclusiveness and responsiveness for people from LGBTIQ communities experiencing or using violence.

FSV, DFFH

2020-22 (in progress)

2.8 Support local LGBTIQ community groups to be entry points into the formal service system by helping the organisations to recognise and respond to people from LGBTIQ communities experiencing or using family violence, particularly in rural and regional Victoria, in line with the MARAM framework.

FSV, DFFH

2019-21 (in progress)

2.9 Develop training packages on family violence and sexual assault for faith leaders and communities, in collaboration with the Multifaith Advisory Group.

MA 2019-21 (in progress)

2.10 Strengthen the primary prevention workforce capability and capacity to prevent family violence against Aboriginal people, older people and people from LGBTIQ communities through initiatives such as the Prevention in Action Across Our Communities project.

OPFVC, RV, DFFH

2019-21 (in progress)

2.11 Support learning and development activities that strengthen primary prevention practitioners understanding of and practice in intersectionality.

OPFVC

2019-21 (in progress)

2.12 Design and develop accredited family violence training in TAFEs and increase the family violence specialist trainer pool.

DET

2020-22 (in progress)

2.13 Continue implementation of the whole school approach to Respectful Relationships in Victorian schools and the delivery of Respectful Relationships professional learning to early childhood educators to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours and strengthen referral and response to family violence.

DET 2016-21 (in progress)

2.14 Working with Our Watch, develop a whole-of-institute approach to prevention in TAFEs using an intersectional lens on gender equality.

DET 2019-21 (in progress)

Actions to increase inclusive practice and ongoing professional development for staff

Indicator: increased inclusive practice and ongoing professional development for staff

Actions

Lead and partners Duration and progress

2.15 Build the capacity of interpreters through specialised family violence training.

FSV, MA

2019-22 (in progress)

2.16 Roll out e-learning modules on intersectionality to enable non-centralised professional development opportunities to a wider audience.

MCV

2019-20 (complete)

2.17 Establish five Specialist Family Violence Courts across Victoria, including providing Magistrates and court staff with training on intersectionality.

CSV/MCV

2019-23 (in progress)

Actions to strengthen capabilities across service sectors to support people from diverse communities

Indicator: strengthened capabilities across service sectors to support people from diverse communities

Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress

2.18 Support a demonstration project to improve access to refuge accommodation for people from LGBTIQ communities.

FSV

2019-21 (in progress)

2.19 Develop and implement new processes that enable seamless service provision for people experiencing homelessness and family violence through improved communication, collaboration and utilisation of resources available to FSV and Specialist Homelessness Services.

FSV, DFFH

2019-22 (in progress)

2.20 Build stronger partnerships between multicultural and ethno-specific organisations and specialist family violence service providers to enable stronger referral pathways to better support multicultural people, through the Multicultural Family Violence COVID-19 package.

FSV, OPFVC

2020-21 (in progress)

2.21 Rollout the Family Violence Practitioner Pilot which seeks to strengthen and embed local relationships and engagement with multicultural communities in Shepparton.

CSV/MCV

2019-21 (in progress)

2.22 Review and develop a recommended framework for strengthening the support and coordination system for primary prevention of violence against women and family violence in Victoria, incorporating arrangements to embed effective design and delivery for diverse communities.

RV

2020-21 (in progress)

Actions to increase workforce diversity

Indicator: increased workforce diversity

Actions Lead and partner Duration and progress

2.23 Develop and implement the Workforce Strategy and Action Plan for The Orange Door network - strategy focus 1.4: Using attraction and recruitment strategies, including developing career pathways into The Orange Door network, that promote employment opportunities for people from diverse communities.

FSV

2019-21 (in progress)

2.24 Implement the actions in the Strengthening the Foundations: First Rolling Action Plan 2019-2022, focus area 3 – recruiting and retaining specialist workforces, including:

  • Action 3.8: Reduce workforce entry barriers to increase workforce diversity, working towards achieving a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community.
  • Action 3.10: Develop and implement initiatives to address workforce supply challenges in regional areas.
FSV

2019-21 (in progress)

2.25 Implement place-based approaches to recruiting multi-disciplinary teams that reflect the demographics of the community.

FSV

2019-20 (complete)

Acronyms

  • FSV - Family Safety Victoria
  • DFFH - Department of Family, Fairness and Housing
  • MA - Multicultural Affairs
  • OPFVC - Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination
  • RV - Respect Victoria
  • DET - Department of Education and Training
  • MCV - Magistrates' Court of Victoria
  • CSV - Courts Services Victoria

Strategic priority 3: strengthening targeted services

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Our aim is to shift the service* system culture from one that can perceive identity as the barrier to accessing services to one of shared responsibility for recognising and addressing discrimination and structural barriers to service access by offering choice to all. This does not erase the need for targeted services; instead, they contribute to a holistic and contextual approach in systems responses providing cultural knowledge and understanding of clients from diverse communities.

Whether they are stand-alone or integrated within family violence services, targeted services complement and build the capacity of the service system to achieve inclusion and equity. Their nuanced and tailored work across the spectrum of family violence–primary prevention, early intervention and response–is critical in offering choice without fear of discrimination to all clients.

To create these shifts, we know there needs to be a stronger focus on supporting and strengthening targeted responses and developing pathways for improved collaboration.

In 3 years…

Targeted service provision is more accessible to people from diverse communities experiencing or choosing to use violence. Targeted services are accessible through standalone or coordinated responses.

* As defined in the Everybody Matters: Inclusion and Equity Statement, targeted services are those specific family violence services with an expert knowledge of a particular diverse community and the responses required to address the unique needs and barriers faced by the group. Targeted services may include community-specific services, such as ethno-specific, LGBTIQ and disability services that focus on primary prevention programs or early intervention.

Actions to increase coordination and collaboration across the system

Indicator: increased coordination and collaboration across the system
Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress

3.1 Work with targeted services across diverse communities to inform the development of the MARAM perpetrator practice guidance.

FSV

2019-21 (in progress)

3.2 Enhance The Orange Door network linkages with targeted services through employing Service System Navigators and establishing service interfaces with key sectors to strengthen referral pathways.

FSV

2019-22 (in progress)

3.3 Continue to implement the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme to enable information sharing entities from across specialist and universal system to work collaboratively to assess and manage family violence risk.

FSV

2019-22 (in progress)

Actions to build capacity to further strengthen targeted services

Indicator: capacity building initiatives implemented to further strengthen targeted services
Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress

3.4 Strengthen the capacity of the disability and social services workforce to prevent violence against women with disabilities through the Workforce Development Program on Gender and Disability 2018-2021.

OPFVC

2019-21 (in progress)

3.5 Implement learnings and recommendations from the evaluations of the Family Violence Perpetrator Intervention trials programs that relate to diverse communities.

FSV and DJCS

2019-22 (in progress)

3.6 Implement initiatives across multicultural communities (including in regional such areas Geelong and Shepparton) to prevent family violence, including the 2-year Safer and Stronger Communities Pilot. The Pilot will improve early identification of family violence in multicultural communities and build the capacity of staff and selected communities to design and delivery primary prevention activities with an intersectional lens.

MA (lead), OPFVC and RV (partner)

2019-21 (in progress)

3.7 Review and evaluate Victoria’s first LGBTIQ specialist family violence service offering.

DFFH, FSV

2020-2021 (not commenced)

Actions to enhance targeted initiatives for people from diverse communities

Indicator: enhanced targeted initiatives for people from diverse communities
Actions Lead and partners Duration and progress

3.8 Provide funding for LGBTIQ Family Violence applicant and respondent practitioners at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to ensure an inclusive service where LGBTIQ people have the information, advice and support they require when they come into contact with the court due to family violence.

MCV

2019-20 (complete)

3.9 Undertake an evaluation of the LGBTIQ Family Violence applicant and respondent practitioners initiative to determine its effectiveness.

MCV

2020-21 (complete)

3.10 Develop and implement social marketing behaviour change campaigns in conjunction with key stakeholders and build upon existing research on core social and cultural drivers of family violence and violence against women, addressing specific diverse populations including older Victorians, LGBTIQ communities and people from Aboriginal communities.

RV, DFFH

2019-22 (in progress)

3.11 Provide targeted funding for primary prevention initiatives led by multicultural, ethno-specific and faith-based organisations to address the drivers of family violence for people from migrant and refugee communities.

OPFVC

2019-21 (in progress)

3.12 Fund the state-wide service to provide a free confidential telephone helpline, referral and support services including advocacy and legal advice for elder abuse.

DFFH

2019-22 (in progress)

3.13 Implement specialist family counselling and mediation services for older people and their families who present at The Orange Door network with suspected cases of elder abuse.

DFFH

2019-20 (complete)

Acronyms

  • FSV - Family Safety Victoria
  • OPFVC - Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination
  • DJCS - Department of Justice and Community Safety
  • MA - Multicultural Affairs
  • RV - Respect Victoria
  • DFFH - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  • MCV - Magistrates' Court of Victoria

Appendix 1: related strategies and frameworks

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

The work outlined in the Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022 will contribute to delivering the objectives of other key Victorian Government strategies and frameworks, including:

Appendix 2: list of terms and acronyms

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Term or acronym Definition

Adolescent family Violence

Violence used by young people against family members.

CSV

Court Services Victoria

Broader family violence system

Includes: government departments and agencies, police, courts and the justice system and all family violence and child and family services working in prevention, early intervention and response

DCI Working Group

Diverse Communities and Intersectionality Working Group

DFFH

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (formerly part of the Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS])

DH

Department of Health (formerly part of the Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS)

DHHS

Department of Health and Human Services (since 1 February 2021, this Department was split into DH and DFFH)

DJCS

Department of Justice and Community Safety

DPC

Department of Premier and Cabinet

CSA

Crime Statistics Agency

Elder abuse

“Any harm or mistreatment of an older person that is committed by someone with whom the older person has a relationship of trust. In the context of family violence, this may be abuse by any person who is a family member (such as their partner or adult children) or carer. Elder abuse may take any of the forms defined under ‘family violence’.”

Source: MARAM Practice Guides: Foundation Knowledge

FSV

Family Safety Victoria

FVFO

Family Violence Outcomes Framework

FVDCF

Family Violence Data Collection Framework

JCV

Judicial College of Victoria

LGBTIQ+

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer and Questioning

MA

Multicultural Affairs

MARAM

Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework

MCV

Magistrates' Court of Victoria

NDIS

National Disability Insurance Scheme

OPFVC

Office for the Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination

Primary prevention

Primary prevention of family violence is distinct from secondary or tertiary prevention, which are also known as early intervention and response respectively. Primary prevention aims to stop all forms of family violence and violence against women from happening in the first place by focusing on the underlying causes or drivers of the violence.

An effective primary prevention approach will support and complement early intervention and crisis response by reducing pressure on these parts of the system.

RCFV

Royal Commission into Family Violence

RV

Respect Victoria

Specialist family violence service system

Includes: family violence support services and counselling, perpetrator services adolescent family violence services, refuge and crisis accommodation, and family violence advocacy and capacity building

Specialist sexual assault services Includes: Sexual Assault Support Services and Sexually Abusive Behaviour Treatment Services
SFVC

Specialist Family Violence Courts

Targeted services

Services that provide specialist family violence support for targeted community groups (such as LGBTIQ, ethno-specific, people with a disability). May also include targeted community services in primary prevention or early intervention.

Universal services

Services available to whole of population such as health care (including hospitals), schools and childcare centres

VCAT

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Vic Pol

Victoria Police

VSAC

Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council

WoVG

Whole of Victorian Government

Appendix 3: inclusive language

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Women are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, including family violence. The perpetrators of this violence are overwhelmingly men. While gender inequality is the root cause of the violence against women, family violence can, and does, occur within a range of relationships. It is characterised by a pattern of abusive behaviour involving a perpetrator’s exercise of control and power over the victim.

Family violence can take many forms. It can occur within extended families, kinship networks, intergenerational relationships and through family-like or carer relationships. Intimate partners, family members and non-family carers can perpetrate violence against people they are caring for. Young people can use violence or be victims of violence within their family.

At the centre of all instances of family violence are individual and structural power imbalances. To address this, we need to create a society based on inclusion and equity.

Access is about ensuring that information, spaces, services and programs are available to everyone and are responsive to their needs.

Diversity and diverse communities: Throughout this document the term ‘diverse communities’ has been used. This term draws from the terminology used in the Royal Commission into Family Violence (RCFV) Report3 and recommendations. By diverse communities we mean:

  • Aboriginal communities
  • people in the sex industry
  • people with disabilities
  • faith communities
  • people living in rural and regional communities
  • older people
  • young people
  • women in or exiting prison or forensic institutions such as specialist mental health hospitals and services
  • male victims
  • LGBTIQ communities
  • people experiencing mental health issues
  • people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The RCFV found people from diverse communities can experience family violence differently and can face multiple and intersecting systemic barriers and to accessing services. For some people in these groups, “family violence is less visible and less well understood than family violence in other parts of the Australian community”4. However, the term ‘diversity’ is not intended to be an othering term. Everyone has multiple layers to their identities. In recognising these multiple layers, we hope to ensure people from all communities across Victoria have equitable access to the services they need when they need them.

Equity means that available information, spaces, services and programs should deliver outcomes that people need and want. This requires services to be able to consider and respond to the intersecting forms of disadvantage and discrimination to truly cater to all diverse needs.

Intersectionality describes how systems and structures interact on multiple levels to oppress, create barriers and overlapping forms of discrimination, stigma and power imbalances based on characteristics such as Aboriginality, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, colour, nationality, refugee or asylum seeker background, migration or visa status, language, religion, ability, age, mental health, socioeconomic status, housing status, geographic location, medical record or criminal record. These compound experiences of family violence and create additional barriers for a person to access the help they need.

In late 2018 to early 2020, FSV led the Intersectionality Capacity Building Project to develop resources to increase the capacity and capability of family violence and universal service workforces to adopt and embed an intersectionality framework across family violence, sexual assault, and child and family wellbeing in order to foster inclusion and equity. The intersectionality framework and resources developed through the project was undertaken in collaboration with over 30 sector stakeholders and key Victorian Government departments and agencies over a five-phase targeted consultation process.

Intersectionality is a framework that seeks to understand how power intersects and conspires within systems and structures. This power creating overlapping forms of discrimination or disadvantage for either an individual or group based on social characteristics such as, but not limited to gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, religion, class, socioeconomic status, gender identity, ability or age.

Intersectionality also helps us understand our own individual circumstances, our position of power and our experiences within those systems, structures and institutions that organise our society. By truly understanding our own position of power, we will be able to critically reflect and work towards removing the systemic barriers faced by people who have been marginalised.

Experiences of inequality, particularly where it intersects, compounds the risk of experiencing family violence and creates additional barriers for a person to access the help they need. Intersectionality recognises that all people are complex and no one person has the same lived experience as another person. Intersectionality seeks to identify how we can challenge and/or advocate to change systemic discrimination and inequality to ensure all individuals can fully participate in society.

Diagram 1. Understanding intersectionality in Australia

  • Download 'Diagram 1. Understanding intersectionality in Australia'

An intersectionality framework builds upon the foundations of our understanding of the gendered nature of family violence and sexual assault. It is a lens through which we can view how different forms of inequality and discrimination intersect and collide to influence experiences of family violence, sexual assault and child and family wellbeing issues, and impact on seeking help and access to services.

A system that adopts inclusion as an active process recognises the impact of marginalisation, values diversity and works to eliminate barriers. Adopting an active process of inclusion creates welcoming environments in which everyone can access services and the services available are responsive to diverse needs. Adopting an active process of inclusion means ensuring diversity of thinking, experiences, and skills are valued and utilised. An inclusive system is demonstrated by attitudes, behaviours, policies and practices that enable full and equal participation for everyone. It is achieved where programs, services and funding are flexible and responsive to diversity and where diverse communities are empowered as active participants at all levels of planning, decision-making and delivery.

3. Royal Commission into Family Violence Summary Recommendations 2016, p.32 https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/file_uploads/1a_RFV_112ppA4_SummaryRe…

4. Royal Commission into Family Violence Report and Recommendations 2016, volume V, 9.1 http://files.rcfv.com.au/Reports/Final/RCFV-All-Volumes.pdf

Appendix 4: description of graphics and diagrams

Everybody Matters Inclusion and Equity Blueprint 2019-2022.

Figure 1. Diverse communities

  • Aboriginal communities
  • People in the sex industry
  • People with disabilities
  • Faith communities
  • People living in regional and rural communities
  • People experiencing mental health issues
  • Older people
  • Young people
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse people
  • Women in or exiting prison or forensic institutions
  • Male victims
  • LGBTIQ communities

Figure 2: Overview of the 2019-22 Blueprint

Vision: An inclusive, safe, responsive and accountable system for all Victorians.

Strategic Priorities from the Everybody Matters: Inclusion and Equity Statement:

  • Strategic Priority 1: Building Knowledge
  • Strategic Priority 2: Building Capacity and Capability
  • Strategic Priority 3: Strengthening Targeted Services

Three-year outcomes:

  • There is increased evidence and research on experiences of family violence, service system responses to victim-survivors and perpetrators of family violence, and systemic barriers to engagement for people from Victoria’s diverse communities
  • Specialist family violence services have increase awareness of intersectionality
  • Specialist and broader family violence workers have increased knowledge about intersectionality and its relevance to their work
  • The family violence workforce better reflects the diversity of Victorian communities
  • Targeted service provision is more accessible to people from diverse communities experiencing or choosing to use violence.
  • Targeted services are accessible through standalone or coordinated responses

Indicators

  • Mechanisms implemented to share data and research across Government and the broader service sectors
  • Improved data on diverse communities to better inform service design and delivery
  • Increased collaboration with people with lived experience in the design and delivery of family violence services
  • Increased trials and evaluation of new approaches to interventions to build the policy evidence base
  • Increased workforce capacity to embed culturally safe, inclusive and intersectionality practices
  • Increased inclusive practice training and ongoing professional development for staff
  • Increased workforce diversity
  • Increased coordination and collaboration across the service system
  • Capacity building initiatives implemented to further strengthen targeted services
  • Enhanced targeted initiatives for people from diverse communities

Actions

  • Implement the Family Violence Data Collection Framework
  • Gather baseline data on the family violence workforce demographics
  • Showcase inclusive practice examples, informed by an intersectionality framework
  • Trial targeted initiatives for people from diverse communities who use violence
  • Support the establishment of Victim Survivor Advisory Groups
  • Gather the voices of lived experience through The Orange Door network evaluation
  • Commission research to analyse perpetrators of family violence and their service pathways
  • Explore systemic barriers to accessing services for people from diverse communities
  • Research and pilot projects to understand the drivers of violence against people from diverse communities
  • Work with Elder Abuse Prevention Networks to complete action research to understand the drivers of Elder Abuse
  • Enhance organisations and workers understanding of intersectionality through the implementation of MARAM and the Intersectionality Capacity Building Project
  • Implement disability and women exiting prison practice lead initiatives
  • Support 26 organisations to achieve Rainbow Tick Accreditation
  • Implement a suite of LGBITQ family violence capacity building initiatives
  • Support initiatives to reduce barriers to enter the workforce and encourage people from diverse communities to join the workforce
  • Build the capacity of interpreters through family violence training and ongoing professional development
  • Rollout e-learning modules on intersectionality
  • Develop training packages for faith leaders to understand the nature of family violence and sexual assault in multicultural and faith communities
  • Building prevention workforce capacity in intersectionality
  • Work with targeted services across diverse communities to inform the development of the MARAM perpetrator practice guidance
  • Enhance The Orange Door network linkages with targeted services
  • Implement learnings and recommendations from the evaluation of the Family Violence perpetrator intervention trials programs
  • Review and evaluate Victoria’s first LGBTIQ specialist family violence service offering
  • Implement initiatives across multicultural communities in regional Victoria to prevent and recognise family violence
  • Provide targeted funding for primary prevention activities led by multicultural organisations
  • Fund statewide telephone support service for people experiencing elder abuse
  • Fund LGBTIQ Family Violence applicant and respondent practitioners at selected courts
  • Strengthen the capacity of the disability and social services workforce to design and deliver prevention of family violence activities

Diagram 1. Understanding intersectionality in Australia

  • People’s social identities and experiences of systems of oppression intersect with colonisation.
  • Systems of oppression include ableism, ageism, stigma, classism, intersex discrimination, transphobia, biphobia, homophobia, sexism and racism.
  • People’s identities include Aboriginality, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, colour, nationality, refugee or asylum seeker background, migration or visa status, language, religion, ability, age, mental health, socioeconomic status, housing status, geographic location and medical or criminal record.