Health Promotion, Research and Development

Transcription

1 Family Violence Regional Integration Coordination The family violence regional integration coordinator provides community-based leadership to promote, develop and enhance integrated approaches to family violence, and reports to the Western Integrated Family Violence Committee (WIFVC). The role is auspiced by Women s Health West. Provide information, resources and support to implement the WIFVC action plan aimed at achieving the goals of integrating family violence services in the western metropolitan sub-region. Participate in the development of the 00-4 WIFVC action plan, including provision of key information to inform the environmental context in which the plan is being developed. Support organisations in the western region to commit to agreed integration frameworks by advocating for adequate resources to enable this commitment to occur 3. Facilitate the development of collaborative working relationships, clear referral pathways and intake processes between agencies that respond to family violence, including the development of a partnership agreement between family violence services, child protection and child first/ family services 3. Map responses to children and young people to determine the need for resources 3. Identify an action for the WIFVC and the Aboriginal Regional Action Group (RAG) to work on together 4. Encourage and provide resources to support community education and family violence prevention strategies Family violence-specific children s counselling campaign produced by DV Vic with the family violence regional integration coordinator. Participated in 3 consultations at Maribyrnong City Council, WHW and Western Region Health Centre in the process for development of the action plan. Built partnerships and shared key information by attending 3 regular statewide, regional and sub-regional meetings. Advocated to members of parliament for adequate resourcing of family violence services, in particular:. Worked with Domestic Violence Victoria on a family violence-specific children s counselling campaign that featured in local, state and national newspapers, television news, local radio and social media. Provided members of parliament with comparative data and information on response patterns to ensure continued resourcing of Victoria Police family violence response units 3. In October 00 the northwest metropolitan region committee committed to the Think Child partnership agreement to enhance relationships between family violence services, child first/family services and DHS child protection services. Implementation has strengthened local intake processes and increased referral and co-case management. 3. The Western Think Child working group mapped family violence responses for children and young people to determine the need for resources. Recommendations will be published in the next reporting period 3. The WIFVC, as members of the North-West Men s Integrated Family Violence Partnership, supported the RAG to develop the Centre for Males, a holistic centre for indigenous men, to be launched in the next reporting period 4. Allocated resources to the following violence prevention and community education projects: 4. The launch of Preventing Violence Together: The Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women attended by 00 guests (see page 30) 4. Funded a 5-week behaviour change group for 0 Vietnamese men 4.3 Contributed to the funding of WHW s International Women s Day event, I Am Strong, We Are Strong, attended by 50 women (see page 3) 4.4 Funded the White Ribbon Regional Leaders Lunch, attended by 50 mayors, councillors and Victoria Police representatives 4.5 WIFVC worked with the Western Region Football League Women in Football Foundation to launch family violence information cards for distribution to football clubs across Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong Funding for full time family violence regional integration coordinators is due to revert to part-time on 30 June 0, significantly limiting their capacity and effectiveness. We will gather evidence of the efficacy and importance of this position in the west to inform bids for continued resourcing at the current level WIFVC and the Aboriginal regional action group will map Aboriginal-specific family violence funding and targets in mainstream services to identify gaps Health Promotion, Research and Development In the last months our health promotion, research and development team has worked with external partners, agencies and the community to deliver a range of projects across our priority areas of: Mental wellbeing and social connectedness Sexual and reproductive health and Equity and social justice Improving the conditions in which women live, work and play in the western region of Melbourne We aim to achieve sustainable prevention of ill-health by improving the broader social, political and environmental conditions that affect women, rather than focusing on individual behaviour change. For example, at this year s Australian Health Promotion Conference WHW showcased several projects that tackle the social determinants of women s health and wellbeing. A paper on the Preventing Violence Together regional strategy outlined our role in supporting local councils and community health services to implement a suite of strategies to prevent violence against women A workshop on our anti-racism project demonstrated to conference delegates the process we re using to unveil the discrete, yet deeply embedded and institutionalised forms of racism that affect women s opportunities and experiences We presented our leading role in the development of a regional action plan for sexual and reproductive health promotion, and shared the approach that underpins our work with women from FGM-practising communities Delivering and advocating for accessible and culturally appropriate services and resources for women across the region Our professional development program at Western Health has built the capacity of medical, nursing and allied health staff to respond to the needs of women who are affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) Training on the social and cultural aspects of FGM has enabled maternal and child health nurses to better understand and support affected women Recognising that good health, safety and wellbeing begin in the workplace Given the expansion in the health promotion team over the last couple of years, we restructured the program to introduce two new coordinator positions. These positions provide more tailored support for staff within each of the priority areas and allow the manager to focus on broader planning and development work Working with others to achieve our goals WHW recognises that we cannot achieve our goals alone and so we strongly emphasise collaborative project planning and delivery, and sharing our resources, expertise and knowledge with others. Highlights include: Our regional leadership in the prevention of violence against women has resulted in councils and community health organisations signing on to deliver Preventing Violence Together, an action plan that is targeted and well-coordinated We led the regional Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group to develop a framework that will guide regional action planning to redress the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health Putting women s health, safety and wellbeing on the political agenda to improve the status of women We have continued to advocate for women s health, safety and wellbeing to remain a high priority on the regional health promotion agenda. This includes our substantial contribution to the primary care partnership health promotion networks at HealthWest Partnership and Inner North West PCP We submitted to a number of enquiries, including a critique of the representation of women and girls in marketing and advertising, advocating for the centrality of health promotion to redress the broad social factors that determine women s health in national health reform, and promoting priority health issues for women in the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 0-05 Future directions Lead the development of a regional health promotion action plan on sexual and reproductive health and involve a broad range of services and organisations in its design and delivery Train and resource others to deliver the Girls Talk Guys Talk sexual health program Assist Preventing Violence Together signatories to design and deliver local and region-wide projects to prevent violence against women Advocate for sexual and reproductive health and prevention of violence against women as health promotion priorities in health and wellbeing plans at all levels of government Engage with community women, funding bodies and partner organisations to develop an evidencebased health promotion plan for WHW for 0-05 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

2 Power On Power On is a twelve-week program designed for women who experience mental illness and is comprised of modules that women have identified as key to enhancing their health and wellbeing. The program uses a peer education approach that recognises women as experts in their own health. Promote the success of the Power On program to secure funding for agencies to implement the program within and outside the western region. Build an evidence base of the success of the program by completing an evaluation of the programs implemented by 6 agencies working with peer educators and 75 clients over months in Maintain partnerships with local agencies and seek funding to continue the program in Victoria 3. Maintain and establish partnerships with interstate agencies to build their capacity to support women who experience mental illness by implementing the Power On program. An evaluation of Power On in partnership with Norwood, Mental Illness Fellowship, Western Region Health Centre Outreach Service and Outer West, Isis Primary Care and Doutta Galla Community Health Service was completed in July 00. Results indicate that all evaluation objectives were successfully achieved. Recommendations for improvement focused on streamlining the work required of host agencies. Power On was bequeathed a generous donation as a result of our last annual report, which has been allocated towards achieving sustainability. A formal consortium was not established this year because of competing demands, though we maintained strong partnerships with local mental health agencies, including: Western Region Health Centre (Outreach Service and Outer West) who allocated their own funding to implement Power On in partnership with WHW peer educators Norwood Association, who allocated resources to WHW to provide additional facilitator training for their staff with the view to deliver Power On twice in the next reporting period 3. Provided consultative support to Aspire, a Tasmanian mental health agency, and Women s Health Tasmania, who have each run the program 6 times, including in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart. Invited to train facilitators and peer educators at Footprints in Brisbane and the Family Service Group on the Gold Coast, following promotion of the program at a conference Continue to build and use the evidence base about the success of the program to advocate for funding to sustain Power On Continue to train facilitators, provide peer educators and offer support to agencies to implement Power On in the western region where funds are available Provide professional development to staff in Queensland who plan to implement Power On I have received lots of feedback from women who have participated in Power On. Many still speak about the experience years later with the overall opinion being an extremely uplifting and positive one. Norwood s involvement in delivering Power On to women is invaluable and for us as staff members to deliver this amazing, empowering and life-changing program is an absolute honour. Power On will not only change the lives of women who participate but our lives too. Lyn O Keefe, Power On Facilitator Norwood Power On for Carers Power On for Carers is an eight-week program for women who are carers of people who experience mental illness. The program arose out of Power On at the request of carers and is based on the same peer education and strengthsbased approach. Work with Carers Victoria Respite Connections to take over the delivery and sustainability of Power On for Carers. Negotiate and implement a training and support program at Carers Victoria Respite Connections to increase the pool of trained facilitators and peer educators from of each to a total of 4 facilitators and peer educators. Promote Power On for Carers widely through our newsletter to generate interest in the program. Negotiated a thorough plan that includes recruitment, training and support of new staff. Implementation of this plan will commence in the next reporting period. Published an article about peer educatation in whw news. The newsletter is distributed to 500 members and partners WHW will continue to support Carers Victoria Respite Connections to sustain the Power On program Facilitating Power On is a lot more work then you might imagine, but it is worth it. Women who are carers really need something like this, it really resonates with their lives and it s amazing to see the real change that happens for them. Patricia Chalmers, Carer Peer Educator Girls Talk - Guys Talk Girls Talk Guys Talk (GTGT) is a unique 4-month program that extends the World Health Organisation whole-ofschool approach by combining it with a year nine sexuality education program, the VicHealth participation for health framework for action, and a feminist approach to violence prevention. Since starting the program in 006 WHW has found that it fosters a sustainable school environment in which young people gain the knowledge, skills and resources they require to build respectful relationships, develop leadership skills and make healthy sexual choices. Improve students capacity to build respectful relationships, take up leadership opportunities and make healthy sexual decisions by engaging students, teachers, parents and community members in building a sustainable whole-school approach to sexuality education. Complete and evaluate GTGT at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College (HCSC) and train student working group members as leaders through a mentor program designed to assist older students to support younger students. Select a new school to undertake Girls Talk Guys Talk in Establish a staff and local service providers reference group and a student working group to assist in the implementation of the program 4. Identify student needs by conducting a survey of all year 9 students then tailor the curriculum and policy to this quantitative information while incorporating qualitative input from the student working group 5. Provide sexual and reproductive health professional development for health and physical education staff 6. Develop a manual and training package for the Girls Talk Guys Talk program aimed at service providers and professionals working in the field of sexuality education and health promotion who are interested in implementing this model Students at Taylors Lakes Secondary College during education sessions on sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual decision-making PHOTOS: Scout Kozakiewicz [Girls Talk Guys Talk] has given students an opportunity to develop leadership skills it has influenced our curriculum and [clarified] what s critical for us to be teaching at years 7-9 highlighting for staff the importance of gaining student feedback... Assistant Principal, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College. Completed evaluation of Girls Talk - Guys Talk at HCSC in August 00. The mentor skills and confidence of 4 student group members were increased through participation in the Stride Foundation Supportive Friends program. Local schools applied to run GTGT and Taylors Lakes Secondary College (TLSC), the successful applicant, was announced in November Established a reference group comprised of 8 TLSC staff and local services (ISIS Primary Care and Brimbank City Council Youth ). Established a -member student working group at TLSC comprising representatives of each year 9 class 4. Distributed 87 surveys to year 9 students at TLSC. Each survey has 33 questions with as many as 30 sub-questions; the information gathered is rich, complex and invaluable to the success of the program 5. Project worker provided all year nine health and physical education teachers with education sessions on sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual decisionmaking, body image, bullying, cyber safety and self esteem 6. Employed consultant to work with GTGT project worker to develop the program training manual in February 0 Present findings of the questionnaire to parents during the next reporting period Design and print 00 manuals to train interested services and agencies to implement the Girls Talk - Guys Talk program model Complete GTGT at TLSC in February 0 and begin selection process for next school Western Women s Football League have regularly donated to this program and WHW extend our thanks for their support 4 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

3 Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program FARREP provides community education for women and professional development to health service providers in response to the health and social needs of women from communities affected by the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Eliminate the practice of FGM and deliver and advocate for accessible and culturally appropriate services and resources for women from affected communities I will approach the women in a more respectful and sympathetic way rather than being judgemental. Sunshine Hospital doctor at professional development session Lead On Again was the most remarkable program I have ever taken part in [here] in Australia. Thanks to the program, I found my strengths, gained knowledge, made wonderful friends and learned many requisite skills. Trang, Lead On Again participant 0 Lead On Again Lead On Again is a year-long project focused on a 5-day strengths-based leadership program designed to encourage participation in community and leadership activities by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women aged 6-4. Encourage the participation in and opportunities for CALD women s leadership by partnering with the Western Young People s Independent Network (WYPIN) to deliver the Lead On Again program in 00-, and build the capacity of new agencies to implement this model in future years. Deliver professional development to 50 nurses and 0 doctors at Sunshine Hospital. Deliver a second round of professional development to at least 0 maternal and child health nurses from the western region. Consult with at least 6 women from FGM-practicing communities to evaluate the content and delivery of the community education session to ensure that it remains current and reflects the needs of the community 3. Collaborate with community service providers to foster partnerships while delivering community education programs to women from FGM-affected communities. Develop rapport with the women attending the education sessions to create a safe environment to discuss FGM and other sensitive topics 4. Attend at least conference or forum to promote the achievements of the WHW FARREP program. Over 70 nurses and 5 doctors participated in the professional development sessions conducted at Sunshine Hospital, with over 90 per cent identifying an aspect of the training that will positively influence their service provision to women affected by FGM. Conducted professional development session with maternal and child health nurses from the Melton Shire and developed a training calendar in collaboration with key maternal and child health nurse coordinators across the western region. Consultation with 7 women from FGM-practicing communities confirmed that the content and delivery of the community education session remains responsive to the needs of the community 3. Collaborated with AMES and New Hope Foundation to deliver 8 community education sessions attended by 3 women. We discussed health topics including breast health, cervical cancer, contraception and mental health, and established a safe environment in which women were willing to discuss the topic of FGM, which is not commonly discussed in their culture 4. Presented a poster at the Australian Health Promotion Association conference titled Condemn the Practice not the People outlining our gendered approach to tackling the determinants of health for FGM-affected women while considering compounding factors such as language, legal status, media sensationalism and stigma. The poster (left) was selected for a guided poster tour and viewed by around 00 health promotion professionals Carry out an outcome evaluation of the professional development conducted with Sunshine Hospital medical, nursing and allied health staff Regularly analyse and evaluate the content of community education sessions to ensure they remain responsive to women s health needs Initiate consultations with young African women in the western region to identify factors that influence their sexual and reproductive health Lead On Again participants PHOTO: Scout Kozakiewicz Western English Language School Healthy Relationships Education We deliver a 5-week human relations program twice a year to newly-arrived students to prepare them for their entry to mainstream schooling. This is run in partnership with the Western English Language School, Western Region Health Centre and Maribyrnong City Council. Enhance students knowledge and understanding of human relationships and sexual and reproductive rights, to encourage young women to become more confident in taking control over sexual and relationship decision-making, and young men to be more informed and respectful in negotiating relationships. Deliver the 5-week program to an average of 0 female students twice in 00-0 during terms and 4. Liaise with male youth worker at Maribyrnong Council to deliver a malefocussed version of the program to 0 male students. Review the program to ensure that it meets the current needs of students. The number of students attending the program fluctuated each week but was delivered to an average of 0 female students in each term. Maribyrnong Council delivered the program to 5 male students in each term. WHW worked with the Western English Language School, Western Region Health Centre and Maribyrnong City Council to begin a review of the program with a focus on modernising content to encompass developments in social media, and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation process We will complete the review of the program in the next reporting period and implement recommendations to ensure continual improvement in response to the emerging social health needs of the students. We will continue to deliver the 5-week program twice a year with our partners. Facilitate a 5-day leadership workshop for -5 young CALD women who live, work or study in the western region in partnership with WYPIN. In partnership with WYPIN, facilitate the participation of 50 per cent of graduates in leadership initiatives within 6 months of Lead On Again 0 3. Identify and mentor one participant from Lead On Again 00 in the months prior to the workshop to be a peer educator in Lead On Again 0 4. Disseminate the Lead On Again resource to two agencies to expand the reach of the program 5. Scope the potential of local government and community agencies in two outer western areas to undertake Lead On Again with a view to supporting and building the capacity of workers to implement the program in their catchments. WHW and WYPIN ran Lead On Again 0 from January 4-8 at the Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray with 3 young women participants from Burmese, Chines, Ethiopian, Thai and Vietnamese backgrounds. A total of 6 graduates (46 per cent) were involved in leadership initiatives within 6 months of completing the program - 4 graduates undertook leadership roles at WYPIN, while others obtained leadership roles in their universities and schools 3. We identified 3 young women from previous programs then trained and mentored them to become peer educators in Lead On Again 0, including co-facilitating sessions during the week-long program 4. As a result of targeted promotion WHW sold 4 Lead On Again manuals to Inner Northern Local Learning Employment Network, Australian Immigrant and Refugee Women s Alliance, Youth Youth - Ecumenical Migration Centre and the Australian Red Cross and each organisation was keen to run the program themselves 5. We supported Melton Youth Service and Djerriwarrh Health Service in their plan to run Lead On Again in 0 in Melton We will run Lead On Again in Footscray in partnership with WYPIN during 0-0 We will support Melton Youth Service and Djerriwarrh Health Service to deliver Lead On Again in Melton in January 0 Today I learned to express my feelings Western English Language School student 6 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

4 Western Region Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy Over the past years WHW has built collaborative relationships with key partner agencies to facilitate the development of a regional, coordinated and multidisciplinary approach to sexual and reproductive health activities. This stage of the project identifies the social conditions that impact on sexual and reproductive health outcomes, and actions we might engage in to respond to those factors. Build the capacity of organisations to work together to respond to and enhance the sexual and reproductive health of disadvantaged communities in Melbourne s western region. Organise and facilitate monthly meetings of the sexual and reproductive health working group and broaden membership to ensure a stronger emphasis on partnering with agencies who work with local communities and target groups. Carry out a critical review of international and national literature to consolidate the evidence-base for those factors that determine sexual and reproductive health 3. Develop a health promotion framework to provide an overarching conceptual guide for health promotion and primary prevention action 4. Promote completed report through WHW website, whw news and at conferences. Sexual and reproductive health working group meetings were held times and attended by 9 community health services, specialist sexual and reproductive health services, and local government representatives. WHW published the Social Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health 0 report outlining strategies for sustainable prevention of sexual and reproductive ill-health 3. Developed the sexual and reproductive health promotion framework 0, which provides an overarching conceptual guide to evidence-based sexual and reproductive health promotion planning 4. Promoted this work through an article in whw news distributed to 500 members, made the report available for downloading from our website and presented a poster at the Australian Health Promotion Conference, which was seen by hundreds of delegates Use information and ideas outlined to date to develop a collaborative western region sexual and reproductive health action plan. This is designed to build organisational capacity, consolidate regional partnerships, balance clinical service delivery with an integrated approach to health promotion and, ultimately, optimise the sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in the west We are unaware of anyone else having done this work in Victoria so this is a great achievement and something we anticipate will become highly regarded within the sector the depth of experience [on the working group] has enabled robust debate and ensured that the project meets the needs of the west. Corinne Rice, Coordinator - Health Promotion, Isis Primary Care Financial literacy participants Financial Literacy Program A 6-week course designed to explain Australian financial systems to newly-arrived women. The program is targeted to participants and based on community consultation, in partnership with other agencies in the western region Ensure that women from newly-arrived communities have access to services, resources and information that builds their capacity to understand and gain control over financial decisionmaking. Deliver 3 x 6-week financial literacy programs to women from Vietnamese, Chin and Congolese communities, ensuring that program content is specific to each community s needs. Improve links between women and finance-related agencies in the western region by partnering with and involving agency staff in program delivery. Delivered a 6-week financial literacy program to 8 women from the Vietnamese community in St Albans in partnership with Good Shepherd Youth and Family. A change in government delayed receipt of funding for this program resulting in only program being run instead of 3. Consultations to tailor program content were undertaken with Gambler s Help, the Vietnamese Women s Welfare Association and the Vietnamese Welfare Resource Centre. By way of further consultation, a draft program plan was put to the 8 participants in the first week of the program; participants readily approved all content. The broad involvement in consultation and delivery led to improved links between Vietnamese women participants and those agencies, with Vietnamese women accessing financial counselling appointments as a direct result of attending the course. Good Shepherd has noted that more Vietnamese people are generally accessing the service since the program began Deliver the previously planned programs with Chin and Congolese communities on receipt of funding. Identify and deliver the program in another community, to be identified with reference to emerging settlement patterns I was nearly crazy with worry, now I know where I can get help. Vietnamese Participant PHOTO: Kirsten Campbell If you hold a view that might be racist, make the effort to talk to women from that group and hear their stories; once you understand them better you will realise that we have a lot in common. Australian Health Promotion Conference delegate Anti-racism Action Research This project is designed to create safe spaces for a conversation about racism in the region. By encouraging understanding through separate workshops with community women and service providers we hope to reduce the occurrence of racism in our region. Improve the conditions in which women live, work and play in the western region by using action research to explore safe ways to discuss and define racism, unravel the causes of racism, examine how racism affects women, and create strategies to assist us all to reduce racism in our region. Conduct a literature review to examine existing methods of defining racism, how we communicate about it, its effects, and strategies to reduce racism. Research and plan an appropriate method for ensuring that this project has significant representation from community women affected by racism 3. Facilitate workshops, with a minimum of 0 service providers, and another with a minimum of 0 community women affected by racism 4. Contribute at least article to whw news as a strategy to introduce a region-wide discussion about racism. Completed literature review and used findings to inform the method to run the workshops. WHW collected participant feedback from the in-house sessions to further develop our method of convening anti-racism workshops. Feedback indicated that the most effective way to talk about this difficult topic involves creating a safe space to express ideas publicly and providing structured questions that examine discrimination based on ethnicity and culture at individual, organisational, community and societal levels 3. Convened a workshop with 5 WHW staff building on the workshop. Here we explored the impact of racism in terms of employment, housing, access to services and education, and considered possible actions to prevent racism. Convened a workshop with 3 participants at the April 0 Australian Health Promotion Conference in Cairns 4. Published articles in whw news (edition, 00 Racism and racial discrimination is really hard to talk about and edition, 0 A young woman s perspective on racism ) Anti-racism work in the region to this point has been targeted at changing the reaction of the victim, or of the bystander. WHW research will facilitate a shift in work across the region to develop strategies directed at preventing racism in the first instance. Changes in staffing have led to a pause in this project; we plan to recommence in 0 Identify similar projects with a view to collaborate and/or build on existing efforts to understand and eradicate racism. Sunrise participants PHOTO: Scout Kozakiewicz Sunrise Women s groups WHW s longest running program, the Sunrise Women s Group for women with a disability, turned 0 this year! Each group is held once a month from February to December in Werribee and Laverton. The focus is on fun, friendship, skills building and information sharing within a woman-centred context. Deliver an accessible service for women with a disability who live in the outer western region by providing monthly health information sessions and social outings for groups in Laverton and Werribee. Hold group per month in Werribee and in Laverton as these localities have the poorest access to transport and services. Work in consultation with women participants to develop an annual calendar of activities and events 3. Involve more isolated women with a disability, particularly women from CALD backgrounds, who reside in the outer west by promoting the group within the community. The Laverton group had 8-0 regular participants with a total of 65 attendances this year. The Werribee group again experienced low attendance with a total of 3 participants across the year. Of these women, 4 have attended Sunrise events since it commenced in 99. All activities were identified in consultation with group members and included sessions on tiredness, bladder control, sexuality, art therapy, a 0-year celebration and social outings to the Rosegarden and Werribee park 3. Group members distributed 300 brochures to Werribee services including hairdressers, libraries, supermarkets, doctors, chemists, and employment services. We promoted Sunrise on our website and through whw news. Strategies to focus on CALD participants will require further work in the next year Plan a forum to be held in September 0 to raise awareness of the Sunrise groups among relevant service providers with the aim of increasing referrals of all women with disabilities and build on our plan to improve access for CALD participants Publish an article in whw news promoting the Sunrise group to service providers to encourage referrals I have met lots of interesting women who are fun to be with; we share ideas and have a few laughs. Peggy, Sunrise Laverton participant 8 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

5 Preventing Violence Together was launched by the Honourable Joan Kirner in December 00 PHOTO: James Boddington African drumming workshop Zumba lessons Build the capacity of organisations in the western region to prevent violence against women The prevention of violence against women program undertakes collaborative activities in the region designed to build communities, cultures and organisations that are non-violent, non-discriminatory, gender equitable and that promote respectful relationships. Lead the creation of an integrated region-wide strategy for the primary prevention of violence against women, and promote preventing violence against women as a priority for our partner organisations. Finalise the development of an integrated action plan for the western region to prevent violence against women, in partnership with other organisations. Establish a new steering structure to guide the implementation of the western region action plan, Preventing Violence Together, from January 0 3. Formally launch Preventing Violence Together at high-level event to secure executive-level commitment to endorsement and implementation 4. Seek endorsements and commitment to implement the action plan from all participating councils, community health services, and primary care partnerships in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. Completed Preventing Violence Together: The Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women in September 00. Established the Preventing Violence Together Implementation Committee comprising all agencies that were asked to implement the action plan: 7 local councils, 4 community health services, and primary care partnerships in the western region. The implementation committee is guided by an expert advisory group of 5 academics and other specialists 3. Preventing Violence Together was formally launched in December 00 by Professor Helen Keleher and Joan Kirner AM. The launch was attended by over 00 guests including MPs, mayors, and CEOs from organisations across the region 4. To date 7 official endorsements have been received. Planning for implementation and remaining endorsements are ongoing Develop tailored implementation plans for each endorsing agency Devise and deliver intensive capacity-building training exclusively for community health services in the western region Implement region-wide prevention actions as set out in Preventing Violence Together Secure endorsements from all remaining target organisations Build the capacity and political will of all endorsing agencies to implement Preventing Violence Together through forums and training Rigorously evaluate Preventing Violence Together to contribute to the good-practice evidence base for the primary prevention of violence against women Being part of the development of Preventing Violence Together has really raised the profile of preventing violence against women at Wyndham City. Wyndham is a proud endorsee of PVT, and is also working collaboratively with other organisations across the region. Together, our impact is much greater than we could have otherwise achieved. Jacqui Croxon, Health Planner, Wyndham City Council I Am Strong, We Are Strong: celebrating women s strength on International Women s Day International Women s Day (IWD) is marked on 8 March every year as a major day of global celebration for the social, political and personal achievements of women. In 0 we observed IWD with a day-long event celebrating the strength of women who have experienced or are experiencing family violence. Hold an all-day event at Footscray Community Arts Centre for women who experience/have experienced family violence, offering opportunities to try activities that can bolster their strength and enhance their sense of connection with the community and other women.. Strengthen regional partnerships by establishing an event steering committee comprised of a minimum of 7 agencies involved in supporting women affected by family violence. Celebrate the strength and resilience of 00 women affected by family violence, and provide opportunities for them to learn new skills at a fun, free, IWD event 3. Provide opportunities for women affected by family violence to connect with other women to reduce isolation 4. Create a space for family violence counsellors and case managers to reflect on the work they do and celebrate their achievements alongside the women they have worked with Self defence sessions PHOTOS: Anne-Sophie Poirier What keeps me strong? This day made me bit stronger, great day today This is fantastic idea. Well women coming together as one group and healing ourselves and meeting other groups. Well done to all involved feeling relaxed and happy. I enjoyed everything from henna tattoos, massage, Zumba, circus and the women s football practice oh, and the food was great as well!. Established a steering committee comprised of 5 representative organisations including Victoria Police, western region local councils, community health centres, and arts organisations. Participant organisations reported during the post-event reflective workshop that the process of organising the event in collaboration with other agencies greatly enhanced partnerships and linkages. The event was attended by 50 women and included circus skills, tai chi, stencil art, singing, drumming, henna, massage, journaling, public speaking, resume writing, zumba, self defence, frippery home arts and women s football skills. This diversity was a highlight for many, as one participant observed, [there was] something for those who want to be active, those who want to think and those who want to be pampered. 3. A number of women nominated the opportunity to connect with other women as a highlight. Of the qualitative interviews conducted, women reported that they had met someone that they would like to keep in contact with. Reducing isolation and providing opportunities for women to connect with one another were particularly vital outcomes: 70 per cent of women who responded to the questionnaire indicated that they had not participated in an event like IWD before 4. IWD was attended by 7 family violence workers who joined in and celebrated the day alongside the women they support We celebrate IWD with public events every second year and in 0 we will apply for funding to run another in women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

6 Increase the profile of women s health in the western region by promoting the work of WHW staff in creative and inspiring ways. Plan, coordinate, write, design, edit and collate publications including 3 editions of whw news, an annual report, conference posters for colleagues, and other brochures, reports and print materials. Ensure all publications are accessible to their audience through maintenance of an in-house style guide for all WHW print and web resources, including policies for translating and disseminating health information across the region 3. Work with staff and local media to promote WHW programs and actions by producing at least 5 pro-active media releases per year to support organisation-wide advocacy 4. Organise community-based International Women s Day event every years for around 00 women and annual general meeting per year for our members. Produced,500 copies of the 009/0 annual report, which won bronze at the prestigious Australasian Reporting Awards Produced 3 editions of whw news and distributed each to,500 readers Worked with health promotion staff to create posters for the Australian Health Promotion Association conference. Produced 500 copies of the preventing violence against women action plan. Developed a website, safety booklet, poster and pen kit to promote the Safe at Home program Distributed,83 health promotion-related resources and 0,855 family violence resources to clients, communities and organisations through mail outs, presentations and events Translated WHW membership and rights brochures into Vietnamese and Arabic Disseminated WHW written style guide. Distributed 5 media releases resulting in stories in local newspapers and a radio show on 3CR. Developed and disseminated a media procedure in June 0 I have just seen your fantastic election calendar; I think it s brilliant and wanted to say congratulations... Such a creative idea and so well done. Dr Caroline Lambert Executive Director YWCA Australia LEFT: Advent calendar to count down to the state election RIGHT: Three editions of whw news Communications The communications team works with WHW staff and others in the region, including the media, to produce engaging print and web publications promoting equity and justice for women in the west 3. Prior to the state election we printed and distributed 000 copies of an advent calendar designed to inform women in the region about the major parties women s health platforms in a fun and unconventional way 4. Organised the successful I Am Strong, We Are Strong International Women s Day event celebrating women s strengths in March 0, attended by 50 women. See page 3 for details. Our annual general meeting was attended by 8 members and featured Professor Helen Keleher launching the Preventing Violence Together regional action plan Continue to produce 3 newsletters and annual report each year while supporting colleagues to produce informative and engaging publications Last year we planned to develop a new website that reflects our brand and is accessible to our diverse audience. While work has progressed on the site we did not reach our goal because of competing priorities such as preparation of our advent calendar. We plan to renew our focus on the site and launch in the next reporting period WHW FARREP worker Teresia Mutisya at the evaluation station talking to a participant during the I Am Strong, We Are Strong International Women s Day event in March 0 PHOTO: Anne-Sophie Poirier Advocacy WHW engages in advocacy designed to change the structural factors that cause and maintain the conditions under which women and their children face discrimination. We support or run campaigns, submit papers to government in response to white papers and inquiries, visit MPs, and present at forums and conferences. CAMPAIGNS June 00 - June 0 Equal Pay Case WHW rallied, wrote to federal and state ministers and MPs, published articles and spoke to the media in support of pay equity. Fair Work Australia found that social and community service workers are not receiving equal pay and that a significant cause of the pay gap is gender. The ruling on funding the gap should be announced in the next reporting period August 00 Letter to Deputy Premier and discussions with DHS Director Advocated for a funding structure review to bring funding for refuges into line with other family violence services October 00 I Vote for Choice In the lead up to the state election in November 00 WHW participated in the WHAV campaign to support those MPs who supported women s right to access safe and legal abortion 0 Point Plan for Victorian Women s Health Worked with WHAV to develop the 0 point plan, which calls for a whole of government strategy and action plan for improving women s health with a strong emphasis on measurable, transparent outcomes. Sent to all western region members of parliament, with follow up visits Setting Our Agenda Political Forum Worked with WHAV to organise a forum giving the major political parties in Victoria an opportunity to respond to the call for transparent, measurable outcomes for women s health, safety and wellbeing in the lead up to the state election Surveyed western region members of parliament to inform women via our newsletter of local MPs position on women s health, safety and wellbeing November 00 AWARD WHW was nominated by Moonee Valley Council for a Women s Participation in Local Government Coalition Award for our Lead On Again program PERFORMANCE WHW were asked to perform at the state-wide wide Not More event to commemorate the victims of domestic homicide on White Ribbon Day at Federation Square June 0 Victorian Equal Opportunity Act amendments WHW rallied to oppose amendments to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 00 designed to make it legal for faith-based organisations to deny someone a job on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, parental status or gender identity. The bill was passed on 5 June 0 Ongoing CEO was the metropolitan WHAV representative on the statewide advisory committee for the development of the Victorian women s health and wellbeing strategy CEO continued to chair the Maribyrnong Prevention of Violence Against Women group WHW continued to support the Victorian Women s Mental Health Network campaign for funding to ensure that women psychiatric in-patients can be treated in single-sex wards SUBMISSIONS September 00 Advertising Ethics Advocated that the Australian Association of National Advertisers review of their code of ethics direct the fashion, media and advertising industries to play an active role in bringing about longterm cultural change and that the interests and rights of consumers, particularly women and girls, are protected Funding for Power On Unsuccessful partnership grant application with Doutta Galla Community Health Centre to Moonee Valley Council to employ a Power On project worker to strengthen referral pathways for women who experience mental illness Medicare Locals Feedback on potential boundaries for Medicare Locals and Local Hospital Networks submitted to Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Health Reform November 00 Medicare Locals Response to the discussion paper on governance and functions submitted to Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Health Reform January 0 WIFVP Submission Family Law Family Violence Bill 00 Contributed to the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 00 with reference to women and children who experience family violence February 0 Maribyrnong City Council 0-0 Budget Advocated for gender responsive budgeting in the development of Maribyrnong City Council s 0-0 budget Forced and Servile Marriage Discussion Paper Recommended the Federal Attorney-General s Criminal Justice Department introduce legislative and non-legislative reforms to end forced marriage and ensure that women and girls human rights to freedom and integrity are protected and upheld April 0 WHAV Proposal for a Victorian Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy Contributed to the WHAV proposal to the Minister for Health and Minister for Women s Affairs regarding the need for a statewide Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy May 0 Reponse to City of Melbourne Strategy for a Safer City 0-03 Responded to the City of Melbourne draft Strategy for a Safer City 0-03 highlighting the absence of methods to prevent violence against women in the current strategy June 0 Victorian Health Priorities Framework 0-0: Metropolitan Health Plan Advocated to the Department of Health for a greater focus on preventing ill health and ensuring Victorian health services are responsive to the health, safety and wellbeing of women in metropolitan Melbourne WIFVP (for Women and Children) Response to Protecting Victoria s Vulnerable Children Inquiry Responded to state inquiry into child protection to inform the government on ways to reduce child abuse with regard to the effectiveness of existing systems and enhancements to protect children Inquiry into the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 006 WHW and Western Region Health Centre coordinated a submission with 33 recommendations to the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulation Committee inquiry of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 006 on behalf of 8 other community and women s health services WIFVP Endorsement of the Count Us In! Submission The Victorian Regional Homelessness Networkers submitted a response to the Counting the Homeless 006 methodological review 3 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

7 Presentations Health promotion, research and development 0-3 April 0 Australian Health Promotion Association Conference, Cairns The social determinants of sexual and reproductive health: More than the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker This poster on the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health outlined the work WHW has led in Melbourne s west to optimise the sexual and reproductive health status of communities most at risk of sexual and reproductive health morbidity 00 attendees A Health Promotion Approach to Preventing Violence Against Women: From Policy to Practice Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Worker The presentation argued that a social determinants approach, in concert with a clear feminist underpinning, offers many opportunities for strong prevention of violence against women work, particularly within mainstream institutions 50 attendees TOTAL 480 attendees Racism: its effects and strategies to eradicate it Sally Camilleri, Health Promotion Worker The workshop modelled a process to create a culture where racism can be safely discussed to develop anti-racism strategies. Conference delegates were encouraged to implement the model within their organisations 30 attendees Condemn the Practice not the People: A Social Determinants of Health Approach to Female Genital Mutilation Teresia Mutisya, FARREP Community Worker The poster summarised the social determinants of health for women who have been affected by FGM or who come from FGM practicing communities, outlining several components of our approach to the elimination of FGM 00 attendees Operations WHW reception and operations support and enhance the ability of direct service, health promotion and project workers to meet our strategic goals. Human Resources Operations maintain our human resource records including payroll, contracts, leave status, superannuation and training, and this year processed,430 salaries. A key part of the operations role involved coordinating the cyclic review of policies and procedures, this year processing 06 documents through our document management system. We ensured the board were informed of operational matters by submitting quarterly reports that were identified by the directors as clear and appropriate to their ability to carry out their governance role: Human resources: staff leave, new staff, resignations, etc. Risk management: reporting quality committee actions Staff training: number and nature of training attended Information and Communications Technology This year we began to implement the five-year Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plan developed in the last reporting period by White Room Consulting. This included convening an organisation-wide ICT strategic working group to focus on electronic data management and forward planning. Reception Our reception staff are the first point of contact for clients seeking in-person or telephone support following an incident of family violence. This work requires a clear and professional response and makes up 33 per cent of our receptionist s time. Their role is also divided between core tasks that involve meeting attendance, ICT responses, opening and closing procedures, vehicle monitoring, purchasing, and updating resources. These core tasks account for 57 per cent of their time, with the remaining 0 percent spent on administrative support. Reception staff provided,44 instances or 85 hours of administrative support this year including word processing, preparing presentations, photocopying and mail outs. The bulk of that work was required by the health promotion, research and development team and the communications team. Figure 8 Walk ins Business/other Family violence community education WHW family violence services conducted 7 family violence education sessions tailored to audiences during this reporting period. Sessions outlined ways of recognising family violence, suggested practical methods of responding, and explained the services we offer to optimise referrals 8 July 00 Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department Isabelle and Batsi 0 attendees 0 August 00 Catholic Regional College Luise and Suzanna 0 attendees September 00 New Hope Foundation/ Western Region Health Centre Batsi 0 attendees 5 September 00 Centrelink Watergardens Tammy 0 attendees 4 October 00 Australian College of Applied Psychology Tammy 0 attendees TOTAL 57 attendees 6 October 00 Wyndham Youth Hatice and Maureen 30 attendees 5 November 00 Victoria Police Western Region Family Violence Liaison Officers Batsi and Michelle 0 attendees 6 November 00 Victoria Police Moonee Valley Police Station Batsi and Michelle 4 attendees 4 November 00 Centacare Merryn and Luise 5 attendees 7 February 0 Women s Domestic Violence Crisis Service Batsi and Michelle 0 attendees 5 March 0 Victoria Police Sergeants from Brimbank Police Station Batsi and Michelle 30 attendees March 0 Royal Children s Hospital Luise and Isabelle 5 attendees 5 March 0 Victoria Police Sergeants from Melton, Werribee, Laverton, Footscray, Altona Police Stations Batsi and Michelle 5 attendees June 0 Department of Human Child Protection Intake, Preston Batsi and Hang 0 attendees 3 June 0 Victoria Police Werribee Police Station Family Violence Unit Batsi and Hatice 3 attendees 3 June 0 Department of Human Child Protection Case Management Team, Footscray Batsi, Michelle and Jelena 0 attendees 30 June 0 DASWest Drug and Alcohol Vicky and Jude 5 attendees We created an IT helpdesk address and procedure to streamline and record requests for ICT assistance. This year we recorded 88 requests, 73 more than the previous year, indicating a high level of staff comfort with the new method of reporting technical problems. We replaced 3 computers with new machines running Windows 7 as part of phase two of the computer turnover plan outlined in the ICT plan, and will replace 9 computers in the next reporting period. Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Our occupational health, safety and environment committee continued to meet quarterly with staff representatives from each program area responding to non-urgent initiatives for improvement, and monitoring responses to urgent requests or reported incidents. We have continued an unblemished record of staff safety. The annual CPR training was attended by staff and staff attended fire response training presented by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The 4 planned fire drills at the Barkly Street property were attended by a total of 38 staff, while 0 staff and 9 clients attended 6 fire drills at the refuge. Each drill was conducted on different days of the week and times of day to ensure all staff had the opportunity to attend. WHW supported belly dancing classes for health and wellbeing, led by a staff volunteer. We also ran 3 risk management workshops for staff and board directors to support the development of a strong culture of identifying and acting on risks. This was followed by the development of a simplified risk management procedure for distribution to all staff. In the coming year we plan to use what we learned to review and update our risk management data base. Health promotion Family violence This year WHW reception responded to 0,869 phone calls and 433 in-person enquiries for a total of hours ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Women s Health West is committed to energy efficiency and waste reduction. We have a message board in the staff room for people to share ideas for greening the office and each idea is considered by our OHS&E committee for implementation. 00 per cent of office lighting has been upgraded to compact fluorescent daylight globes that use 80 per cent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and emit light comparable to midday outdoor lighting conditions WHW uses only recycled copy paper, and toner cartridges are recycled by Planet Ark WHW has cars in our fleet and our commitment to reduce carbon emissions informs our preference for smaller four cylinder vehicles We have purchased carbon offsets for each of our vehicles As part of our rolling ICT upgrade, this year WHW engaged Green PC to recycle and distribute 7 computers to the community Tea and coffee is supplied by People for Fair Trade 34 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

8 Our Staff Employee Relations, Recognition and Participation WHW staff and board completed negotiations for an enterprise agreement this year. The new agreement consolidates and simplifies the wording of employment conditions of employees previously covered by separate awards as well as an expired enterprise agreement. The agreement was reviewed and endorsed by Fair Work Australia in May 0 and WHW celebrated with a private screening of Made in Dagenham, a dramatised account of female workers protesting against pay inequity in 968. The collaborative process resulted in an agreement that provides better and fairer working conditions for all staff, such as 8 weeks paid maternity leave. SUPERVISION All of our staff received a minimum of monthly supervision plus an annual appraisal this year, with our family violence workers supervised on a fortnightly basis. Individual external supervision was available to a selection of clinical and coordinating staff, and monthly group supervision with an external facilitator focused on professional development activities for each of our family violence outreach and CAS teams. QUALITY WHW are fully accredited under the Homelessness Assistance Service Standards and Quality Improvement Council Health and Community Core Standards assessment program. Although a three-year work plan is required for accreditation, we have implemented and reported on the plan every six months, ensuring that a culture of continuous improvement is embedded in each of our day-to-day activities. Our Quality Committee, comprising senior representatives across the organisation, coordinates this process, and reviewed 06 policies and procedures this year. WHW achieved a bronze award in the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). The ARA provides us with an opportunity to benchmark our annual report against the ARA criteria, including for transparency and accountability. ABOVE: Elly Taylor, Lucy Forwood and Arbeth Guevara of the Health Promotion Research and Development team at the rally for equal pay for community sector workers on 8 June 0 PHOTO: Veronica Garcia RECOGNITION At the AGM in November 00, we presented long service gifts to Jo Harper for years service, Phuong for 5 years and Meriem Idris for 0 years service. We are very fortunate to have staff who have devoted their time and energy to working at WHW. The board of directors presented three innovation awards that acknowledge the contribution of staff to developing and maintaining an energetic, fair and friendly workplace culture. The GOYA or Getting Off Your Arse award, recognised Victoria s efforts to get music to the people. Maat is the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice and this award for attitude and behaviour went to Phuong for her quiet dedication to her work. The VITA award went to a Very Inspiring, Totally Active staff member, Sally Camilleri, who has developed terrific projects such as Power On, Lead On Again, Financial Literacy and now the anti-racism project. STAFF CLIMATE Best Practice Australia undertook the second of three independent surveys of the staff climate, providing comparative data about staff members experience of working at WHW. The results of the second survey again showed that the majority of staff are openly positive, optimistic and engaged with their work and love being surrounded by a fantastic team of women. Having comparative data over the two years allows us to track positive and negative trends, pinpointing where to focus our energy for improvement in the next year. One particularly positive trend is the improvements noted in the annual appraisal process and opportunities for professional development. Our strong emphasis on women s right to equality and our action on advocating for women and children was universally commended. The absolute importance of continuing to advocate for pay equity for workers in our sector was also highlighted throughout the survey. Professional development All staff are encouraged to identify professional and personal development opportunities as a key component of their annual appraisal process, and this year we recorded 587 professional development attendances at 33 different sessions. In the coming year we plan to update the annual appraisal process to focus more strongly on goals and achievements, and develop an organisation-wide learning and development strategy for staff and board directors that articulates with this process. Board Risk management 3 OHSE CPR update Emergency first aid Fire drill - Barkly Street x 4 38 Fire drill - Refuge x 6 49 Fire response OHS for supervisors and managers OHS conference 33 All staff Human trafficking workshop 5 Racism and its effects on women in 7 the west - part and Risk management 8 Stress management - CECFW x 5 Time management, Teamwork Training 5 0 Operations, finance, communications ACOSS media and communications forum Australasian reporting awards feedback Australian health promotion association national conference Becoming an investor in people, VHIA Digital natives meet the colonial impulse: the web and new intergenerational politics Driving skills Exceptional customer service Handle with care - managing violent and potentially violent situations Improving your brochures and posters Legal sector publishers forum: getting to know your audience Microsoft excel 003 (intermediate) Publishing forum - editing workshop Responding to family violence Risk and crisis communication Setting our agenda: women s health policy forum The indispensable assistant Use of ICT and social media for human rights work Weaving your web: online essentials Your WorkCover obligations and Family violence team Advanced supervision skills for social and field workers 3 Act mindfully - acceptance and commitment therapy Alcohol and other drugs Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference 3 Assisting victims of crime, Women s Legal Service Beyond survival seminar, Australian childhood foundation 4 Building an effective integrated community response to domestic violence - Duluth model Working with adult female survivors of sexual assault forum, CASA Domestic violence and the law Centrelink crisis and domestic violence clients family assistance 4 Child s play, The Bouverie Centre National homelessness conference Working with interpreters 3 CRAF (comprehensive risk assessment framework), DVRCV Creative art therapy Delegates training course, Australian Union x 3 Disability awareness and services, Annecto Election strategy workshop, DV Vic Family friendly workplace seminar Family law, Legal Aid Family sensitive practice forum, The Bouverie Centre Family violence risk management Young people, technology and preventing violence against women Foundations of supervision and Family violence seen through the eyes of children, Women s Information Support and Housing Gender analysis, Women s Health Vic Group facilitation Homelessness and human rights Improving systems to save lives workshop Intermediate supervision skills Introduction to domestic violence, DVRCV Intro to motivational interviewing Intro to sand play, Phoenix Institute 3 Listening to the voices within grieving children Local government preventing violence against women conference 3 Managing stress in the workplace 4 Mental health and drug and alcohol awareness Mental health first aid Mind the baby forum 4 National Indigenous domestic violence conference New public housing applications No bullshit therapy, The Bouverie Centre Parkas (parents accepting responsibility kids are safe) group Play therapy, MIECAT Practical therapeutic application of the neurobiology of trauma Responding to sexual assault Security and personal safety workshop Children who have suffered trauma seminar, Monash University 4 Managing professional boundaries 6 Solution focused counselling 3 SMART: introduction and intermediate Specialist homeless information platform, DHS 39 Suicide assessment and intervention 3 The body remembers, Australian Childhood Foundation The functions and therapeutics of intimacy The refugee experience Trauma and narrative therapy with children Trauma, resilience and recovery Understanding and responding to personality disorders Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, Department of Human Assisting victims of Crime, Women s Legal Service Victoria Walk in her shoes - orientation to Melbourne magistrates court system Walk in her shoes - orientation to Sunshine court system Working with challenging behaviours Young people, technology and preventing violence against women 8 Health promotion Australian health promotion association national conference 8 Community learning seminar, CASA House and DEECD Critiquing the good Muslim girl, Melbourne University Cross Cultural Women s Leadership Forum, Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria Election strategy workshop, DV Vic Flemington neighbourhood renewal action plan forum HACC conference Evaluation for Health Promotion Short Course, Monash University Human rights oration, VEOHRC Local Government and Community Leaders Preventing Violence Against Women Conference Metropolitan health plan forum, DH Population health short course, University of Melbourne Refugee health service coordination Researching refugees and asylum seekers: ethical considerations Result based accountability, University of Melbourne Senior executive forum, VHIA Sexual and reproductive health, FPV Shining a red light symposium, Inner South Community Health Sports without borders conference Stepping out on gender based violence Time to tell, Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority Violence and disability, La Trobe Writing winning grants, Our Community Young people, technology and preventing violence against women 38 TOTAL women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

9 Staff list Governance Chief Executive Officer Robyn Gregory Executive Assistant Julie Veszpremi Finance and Operations Business Manager Lara Polak Finance Officer Meriem Idris Accounts Administration Officer Debra Wannan Office Coordinator Jo Harper Reception/ Administration Kirstie McLeod, Poppy Mihalakos, Jacky Heaver (Amy Clark) Student Kim Cleaner Neelum Asterisk (*) indicate maternity leave, brackets indicate resignation Organisational chart Health promotion, research and development Manager Health Promotion, Research and Development Lynda Memery Sexual and Reproductive Health Worker Anna Vu* (Catherine Mayes*) Health Promotion Workers Erin Richardson, Elly Taylor, Kirsten Campbell, Lucy Forwood, Sally Camilleri, Arbeth Guevara FARREP Workers Teresia Mutisya, Shukria Alewi (Rumia Abbas, Reem Omarit) Power On Peer Educators Roslyn Beer, Jenny Hickinbotham Sunrise Group Project Worker Lindy Corbett Attendant Carer Wendy Burton Family violence services Family Violence Manager Jacky Tucker Intensive Case Manager Simone Disability Intensive Case Manager (Deborah) Intake Coordinator Hang 4 Hour Crisis Service Coordinator Michelle* 4 Hour Crisis Response Worker Batsi CALD Housing Worker Phuong Casual and 4 Hour Crisis Service (After Hours) Workers Gabby, Miriam, Melanie, Reqik, Samreen Crisis accommodation services CAS Coordinator Sophie Members and Communities of Interest Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Refuge workers Nancy, Fabien, Gwyneth, Mishelle, Pai Counselling services VACP Counsellor Kim, Melissa* Children s Counsellors Sally, Stephanie (Rebecca) Family violence outreach Outreach Coordinator Jelena (Tammy) Outreach Workers Victoria, Jude, Kim, Luise, Hatice, Merryn, Isabelle, Irene, Melanie, (Suzanna, Christine) Regional family violence coordination Regional Integration Coordinator Maureen Smith Communications Communications Coordinator Nicola Harte Information Worker Veronica Garcia Executive Assistant L-R Ruth Marshall, Claire Culley, Catherine Bateman, Lara Rafferty, Georgie Hill, June Kane, Peta Olive, Leigh Russell, Karen Passey Women s Health West (WHW) is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act and our affairs are managed by a board of directors (the board). This governance statement outlines how the board discharges that responsibility. The board is the legal authority of WHW. Board responsibility is governance, rather than management on a day-to-day level which is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The board is committed to ensuring WHW is accountable, strategic and responsive, and that the vision and core values that we espouse are reflected in all of our dealings as an organisation. Duty statements have been developed to clearly define director s roles to ensure the skills of individual directors appropriately match the requirements of each position, including office bearing roles. The board is comprised of nine directors drawn from our membership, taking into account their skills and ability to carry out their role effectively. An annual skills audit ensures directors abilities are best Figure 9. Board meeting attendance, 00-0 used within standing committees and tasks groups and that recruitment and succession planning processes target skills gaps. Directors are elected for a two-year term, and may serve for up to three consecutive terms. They are expected to: have a commitment to Women s Health West s vision, values and direction and be familiar with the organisation s affairs and those of the sector more broadly make every effort to attend all of the monthly board meetings (quorum is five) be willing to serve on one or more board standing committees or task groups The board appoints a chair, deputy chair and treasurer, who hold office for one year and may be re-appointed. The board reports to members at the annual general meeting where the annual report, including the audited financial report for the year just ended, is presented. Georgie Hill - Chair Coordinator, Safer Communities and Health Promotion, Maribyrnong City Council BA, Postgraduate Certificate Social Science Ruth Marshall Deputy Chair Senior Business Analyst, Western Health Chartered Management Accountant Karen Passey - Treasurer CEO SIDS and Kids Victoria RN, RM, Grad Dip (Mgmt), Cert Finance, Cert Emergency Nursing, Paediatric Cert Leigh Russell CEO, Netball Victoria BA, Grad Dip Ed, Grad Dip Soc Science, Grad Cert Career Counselling, Grad Dip Bus Lara Rafferty Manager, People and Fairness, Human Resources, University of Melbourne BA, Post grad Dip (Psychological Studies) Claire Culley Div Director Surgical, Western Health RN, BA AppSc, MA PubHealth Dr June Kane AM European Commission Expert on Violence against Children and Women BA, PhD Peta Olive Senior Associate, Schetzer, Brott and Appel Lawyers BA, LLB (Hons) Catherine Bateman Community Dev Worker, YWCA Victoria RN, MPH, Bach App Science (Health Promotion) Communications Business Manager Manager Health Promotion, Manager Family Violence Regional Board meeting IR task Finance Strategic planning Board Board Coordinator Research and Devopment Family (inc. AGM) group and risk and performance Evaluation planning Violence committee management meetings day Information Worker Finance Officer Coordinator Sexual Coordinator Crisis Integration ATTENDANCE Accounts and and Reproductive Accommodation Coordinator Where is eligible to attend, Admin Officer Health is attended Office Coordinator FARREP Workers CAS Workers Megan Bumpstead Lisa Field Reception / Admin Health Promotion CALD Crisis Workers Housing Worker Ruth Marshall Facilities / Admin Georgie Hill * * 9 Power On Peer Coordinator Coordinator Intake Karen Passey 0 3 6* 6 Educators Outreach Intake Workers Naomi Raab 8 7 0* Sunrise Groups Outreach Workers After Hours Workers June Kane Project Worker Intensive Case Kirsty McIntyre Attendant Carer Manager Coordinator 4 Lara Rafferty Hour Crisis Service Disability Intensive Catherine Bateman Case Manager 4 Hour Crisis Claire Culley 0 0 Response Worker Leigh Russell Counselling Coordinator Peta Olive 0 0 Samantha Merrigan VACP Counsellor (External expert) Robyn Gregory Children s Counsellors Lara Polak (Operations) 6 5 Where a director is not a member of a committee, the area in the table above is shaded. The chair of each committee is indicated with an asterisk (*) 38 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report PHOTO Meredith O Shea

10 Financial reports for the year ended 30 June 0 DECLARATION BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD The members of the board declare that: The financial statements and notes: (a) comply with Accounting Standards and Australian equivalent of the International Reporting Standards (AIFRS) as detailed in note to the financial statements; and (b) give a true and fair view of Women s Health West financial position as at 30th June 0 and of its performance for the year ended on that date in accordance with the accounting policies described in note to the financial statements. (c) are, in the board s opinion, in accordance with the Incorporated Associations Act of Victoria In the opinion of the members of the board there are reasonable grounds to believe that the organisation will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable. This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the members of the board by: Georgie Hill Date: 0 September 0 Chairperson Karen Passey Date: 0 September 0 Treasurer Notes To and Forming Part of the Accounts STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES This financial statement is a general purpose financial statement that has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements and the requirements of the Incorporated Associations Act of Victoria. They are compiled on a going concern basis adopting the principles of historical cost accounting and do not reflect current valuations of noncurrent assets except where stated. This financial report has been prepared on an accruals basis. (j)victorian Standard Chart of Accounts for Not-for-Profit Community Organisations As recommended by the Victorian Government WHW, has implemented the new standard chart of accounts for the purpose of standardising financial reporting to enhance harmonisation with other organisations. As a result of the implementation the auditor has adjusted the results to enable a comparison. INCOME STATEMENT Note 0 00 $ $ State Government Operating Grants 3,06,595,946,894 Local Government Operating Grants 4,509 - Other Grants 85,36 06,88 Other Income 35,575 44,35 Interest 85,7 60,338 Donations,88 - Profit/loss on Disposal of Assets,4 34,6 Total Income 3,7,56 3,9,998 Employee benefits expenses (j),483,370,77,705 Management & Administrative expenses (j) 96,853,608 Motor Vehicle expenses 43,50 45,877 Depreciation expense 85,30 8,74 Occupancy expenses 9,70 96,388 ICT expenses (j) 66,096 74,58 Client Support (j) 06,744 38,53 Training & Development (j) 73,8 34,479 Communication (j) 8,7 9,998 Total Expenses 3,75,35 3,9,9 Net Surplus from ordinary activities STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 8 (3,79) 808 Note 0 00 $ $ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts from grants etc 3,64,364 3,47,87 Interest received 85,7 60,338 Payments to suppliers and employees (3,3,75) (,98,40) Net Cash provided by (used in) operating activities 9(b) 8, ,485 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from (payments for) property, plant (6,865) (65,583) and equipment Net Cash used in investing activities (6,865) (65,583) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Borrowings (repayments) for leased equipment - (,6) Net Cash used in financing activities - (,6) Net increase (decrease) in cash held Cash at the beginning of the financial period Cash at the end of the financial period 55,495 49,640,533,463,03,83 9(a),588,958,533,463 BALANCE SHEET Note 0 00 $ $ CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 9(a),588,958,533,463 Receivables 4 6,868 6,48 Prepayments 9,869,979 Sundry Debtors - 3,97 Total Current Assets,65,695,556,66 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 3 50,79 5,735 Total Non-Current Assets 50,79 5,735 TOTAL ASSETS,876,486,808,396 Current Liabilities Payables 5 789,68,0,9 Provisions 6 30,976 84,054 Total Current Liabilities,09,44,306,73 Non-Current Liabilities Provisions 6 70,4 5,468 Total Non-Current Liabilities 70,4 5,468 TOTAL LIABILITIES,6,85,357,64 NET ASSETS 75,0 450,756 EQUITY Retained Surplus 8 357, ,788 Reserves (i), 7 358,33 89,968 TOTAL EQUITY 75,0 450,756 STATEMENT IN CHANGES IN EQUITY Retained Earnings General Reserve The full financial report is available on request. Total $ $ $ Balance at 30 June ,788 89, ,756 Profit attributable to members (3,79) 68,65 64,446 Balance at 30 June 0 357, ,33 75,0 40 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

11 Key partnerships WHW are clear that, as a small organisation with a region-wide mandate, our greatest strength in achieving our vision of equity and justice for women in the west is through the development of robust partnerships. As a result, we commit significant resources to working in collaboration with other organisations to further our goals, including two programs that lead the region in the development of strategic responses to complex problems. We have updated our comprehensive partnership register on a regular basis, allowing us to monitor formal and informal partnership agreements, and we undertake annual reviews of the efficacy of our key partnerships using agreed assessment tools. AMES Anglicare Victoria Annecto Anne-Sophie Poirier Ascot Vale Leisure Centre YMCA Aspire, Tasmania Australia Red Cross Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society Australian Union Barwon-South Western Regional Women s Health Berry Street Family Violence Brimbank City Council Brimbank Youth Carers Victoria Respite Connections Carlton Family Resource Centre (City of Melbourne) Catholic Care Celestial Tai Chi College Centre for Ethnicity and Health Centre for Women s Health, Gender and Society Centrelink Community Team Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Child Protection (western region) Colac Community Health Service Community for Children Deakin University Department of Health Department of Human Djerriwarrh Community Health Service Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria Domestic Violence Victoria Doutta Galla Community Health Service Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Service Elizabeth Hoffman House Family Mediation Centre Family Planning Victoria Family Group, Gold Coast Footprints, Brisbane Footscray Community Arts Centre Gabriela Australia Gambler s Help Gatehouse Royal Children s Hospital Gender Equity in Local Government working group Gippsland Women s Health Service Good Shepherd Harvester Clinic Western Metropolitan Community Mental Health Service HealthWest Partnership Hepatitis C Victoria Hobsons Bay City Council Holy Eucharist Primary School and Church Home Ground Housing Choices Housing Resource and Support Service Inner North West Primary Care Partnership intouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence Iramoo Community Centre Isis and Pluto Isis Primary Care JAB Solutions Laverton Community Centre Lifeworks MacKillop Family Magic Movements Self Defence Magistrates Court Victoria Mambourin Enterprises Maribyrnong City Council McAuley Community for Women Melbourne City Council Melbourne Magistrates Court Melton City Council Melton Youth Mental Illness Fellowship Merri Outreach Support Metro West (Yarra Housing) Migrant Resource Centre North West Molly s House Refuge Monash University Moonee Valley City Council Multicultural Centre for Women s Health Multicultural Health and Support Mzuri Dance New Hope Foundation North West Children s Counsellor Peer Supervision Network NorwoodAssociation Portland District Health Print Supply Management Public Interest Law Clearing House Refugee and Immigration Legal Service Relationships Australia (Victoria) Royal Children s Hospital Royal Women s Hospital Salvation Army Support and Housing Scout Kozakiewicz South West Community Health Centre Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre St John Ambulance Sunshine and Melbourne Magistrate Courts Sunshine Court Sunshine Hospital Susan Miller Taylors Lakes Secondary College Telephone Interpreter Service The Good Shepherd The University of Melbourne Victoria Police Victoria University Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Victorian Cooperative on Children s for Ethnic Groups Victorian Women and Mental Health Network Victorian Women s Football League Victorian Writer s Centre Vietnamese Welfare Resource Centre Vietnamese Women s Welfare Association Werribee Support and Housing West CASA Western English Language School Western Health Western Integrated Family Violence Committee Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (women and children) Western Region Football League: Women in Football Foundation Western Region Health Centre Western Young People s Independent Network Whirlwind Print WIRE Women s Information Women with Disabilities Victoria Women s Circus Women s Domestic Violence Crisis Service Victoria Women s Health Association of Victoria Women s Health East Women s Health Goulburn North East Women s Health Grampians Women s Health in the North Women s Health in the South East Women s Health Loddon Mallee Women s Health Tasmania Women s Health Victoria Women s Housing Ltd Women s Legal Service Victoria Wyndham City Council Wyndham Youth Yarra Community Housing YWCA Victoria Zonta Women s Club Acronyms AAS Australian Accounting Standards AGM Annual General Meeting ARA Australasian Reporting Awards ASU Australian Union ATO Australian Taxation Office BFVU Brimbank Family Violence Unit CALD Culturally and Linguistically Diverse CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service CAS Crisis Accommodation CASA Centre Against Sexual Assault CECFW Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development DH Department of Health DHS Department of Human DICM Disability Intensive Case Manager DV Vic Domestic Violence Victoria DV Domestic Violence FARREP Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program FGM Female Genital Mutilation FPV Family Planning Victoria FV Family Violence FVLO Family Violence Liaison Officer FWA Fair Work Australia HASS Homelessness Assistance Service Standards ICM Intensive Case Management ICT Information and Communication Technology IFVS Integrated Family Violence Service IIO Interim Intervention Order IO Intervention Order IWD International Women s Day LGA Local Government Area MIECAT Melbourne Institute for Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy NWMR North West Metropolitan Region OHSE Occupational Health, Safety and Environment OOH Office of Housing PCP Primary Care Partnership PRB Private Rental Brokerage PVAW Prevention of Violence Against Women PVT Preventing Violence Together QIC Quality Improvement Council RIC Regional Integration Coordinator THM Transitional Housing Manager VACP Victims Assistance and Counselling Program VEOHRC Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission VCOSS Victorian Council of Social VHIA Victorian Hospitals Industry Association WDVCS Women s Domestic Violence Crisis Service WELS Western English Language School WHAV Women s Health Association of Victoria WHW Women s Health West WIFVP Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (women and children) WRHC Western Region Health Centre WSH Werribee Support and Housing Table of figures Fig Five year income trend analysis... 5 Fig Five year expenditure trend analysis... 5 Fig 3 Income sources... 0 Fig 4 Expenditure... 0 Fig 5 Family violence services data... Fig 6 Intake service access type...3 Fig 7 Cultural identity of outreach clients...4 Fig 8 Case management support periods...4 Fig 9 Family violence after hours referral sources...5 Fig 0 Women and children assisted by the after hours service...5 Fig Total police faxbacks by LGA...5 Fig Police faxbacks Fig 3 Crisis accommodation services...7 Fig 4 CAS client housing outcomes...7 Fig 5 CALD housing program (Client language groups)...9 Fig 6 CALD client housing outcomes...9 Fig 7 Security items provided by Safe at Home brokerage...0 Fig 8 Reception call register...35 Fig 9 Meeting attendance (Board directors)...39 Annual Report 00-0 ISSN X Publisher Women s Health West Printed November 0 Printer Whirlwind Print Editors Robyn Gregory, Nicola Harte Designer Nicola Harte Illustrations Isis and Pluto Front cover Lead On Again participants Photographer Scout Kozakiewicz Back cover Evaluation form exploring strength at I Am Strong, We Are Strong International Women s Day event Photographer Anne-Sophie Poirier ABN If you would like a copy of this publication in large print or another format please info@whwest.org.au 4 women s health west annual report 00-0 women s health west annual report

12 Are you a member? JOIN US! All women living, working or studying in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne are eligible for membership of Women s Health West, as are organisations whose client base includes the western region. Membership is free and includes a great newsletter and invitations to events like our AGM. Most importantly, our members help to strengthen the voice of an organisation working to bring equity and justice to women in the west. To find out how to join call us on , info@whwest.org.au or complete an online membership form at Donate Women s Health West receives funding from the State Government but we rely on grants and donations to help us extend our services. Donations to WHW are tax deductible. For more information please call or visit Any support that you provide will have a very real impact on our ability to meet the needs of women in the west allows us to purchase a metcard $7 for a woman escaping violence allows us to provide an $30 information manual to healthcare providers about reproductive health services for refugees from the Horn of Africa or to give a toiletry pack to a woman escaping violence or a children s pack to a child who has had to leave home without their belongings allows us to pay accommodation $50 for a woman and her children when there are no beds available in overcrowded refuges $,000 would assist us to run a financial literacy program Barkly Street Footscray Victoria 30 Phone: Fax: info@whwest.org.au