Dear friends
This week's newsletter gives you some insight into the busy world that is NTV/MRS at the moment!
With such a lot going on you would think the last thing we need is to co-host a national conference but that's exactly what we are doing this month in Sydney, from 13-16 February. We are looking forward to meeting with colleagues from other states and territories and having an Australia-wide conversation about how our work with men needs to scale up. NTV/MRS is ready to assist and support our interstate colleagues in getting our voices heard on a national scale.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Sydney - for those who can't make it we will make recordings available on our soon-to-be-launched new website, so watch this space!
Sincerely,
Jacqui Watt
Chief Executive Officer
No To Violence incorporating the Men's Referral Service
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Our work
Victorian men's behaviour change workforce survey
We will be sending members currently delivering MBCPs a link to a quick, 5-question survey this week to help us gain a good understanding of the current men's behaviour change workforce in Victoria and with the intention of projecting workforce needs over the next few years. If you are managing one of these programs, please keep an eye on your inbox for the link and take the time to complete the surveys at your earliest convenience.
We are also updating referral and contact information for groups currently running. A worker from the Men's Referral Service may have been in touch with you over the last few days with a brief questionnaire. If you haven't heard from us and are currently delivering any MBCPs, please contact colinl@mrs.org.au for more information.
Jacqui Watt and Michael Brandenburg are representing NTV/MRS and our members on this committee, which met for the second time last week.
The key focus for this committee is to advise the Victorian Government on the range of perpetrator programs, services and initiatives that should be available in Victoria to respond to perpetrators across varying forms and risk levels of family violence. The recent meeting focused on the current perpetrator interventions that exist in Victoria, throughout Australia and a number of international examples. The committee also explored the key principles that should guide perpetrator interventions.
We will keep you informed on the work of the committee as it progresses.
MBCP Minimum Standards review
The NTV/MRS Member Reference Group met for the first time earlier in January to discuss the process and scope for this review. This group will meet regularly while the review is underway and we are also looking at other mechanisms for consultation with our members around the Minimum Standards. If you would like to participate in the Reference Group or have any questions, please contact Louise Simms.
DHHS is currently seeking quotes from consultants to undertake two important pieces of work as part of this review:
- Review and update the Men’s Behaviour Change Programs Minimum Standards to reflect research findings, national and international best practice, and the central importance of partner contact work.
- Develop a compliance framework, incorporating an accreditation process, for providers of men’s behaviour change programs.
We are keen to ensure that consultants are appointed who have a solid understanding of the family violence sector and men's behaviour change work in particular. Please download the RFQs from the links above, and pass them on to any contacts within your network who you think would be appropriate.
Submissions close 4pm 6 February, contact Jacob Peggie at DHHS for more information.
Child Safety and Wellbeing Information Sharing Reforms
NTV/MRS and Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) have collaborated on a submission to respond to the Victorian Government's proposals for an information sharing scheme relating to child safety and wellbeing. The proposal has come about as a result of a range of coronial inquests and child death reviews recommending such a scheme.
Similar to the family violence information sharing scheme recommended by the Royal Commission, the proposed child safety scheme would involve a number of specified organisations who would have the right to share information relating to children’s safety and wellbeing, without needing the consent of a parent.
NTV/MRS and DV Vic expressed concerns about the proposals and called for further consultation, as the interaction of the proposed children’s scheme with the family violence information sharing scheme would lead to confusion and potentially undermine the family violence scheme.
The Victorian Government is also proposing to establish an information database called Child Link, which would log all of the services involved with every child in Victoria. NTV/MRS and DV Vic also raised concerns as to how this may increase risk for women and children experiencing family violence, and the need for further information and consultation.
For further information please contact Rashmi Kumar.
Fathers, Families and Violence: forum summary
In November 2016, we partnered with the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare to showcase service approaches to working with fathers who use violence. The forum brought together practitioners, policy makers and researchers to discuss the effectiveness and challenges of existing approaches and consider how we can strengthen practice to improve outcomes for families.
Download our summary report of the forum here.
Government consultation
Our Strategy Team has responded to a number of requests for feedback on a range of consultations happening in Victoria and across Australia. These have included:
- Commonwealth consultation on Family Law act changes
- Changes to the Family Violence Protection Act 2008(Vic)
- Child Safety Information sharing Consultation Paper
- QLD Law Reform Commissions Consultation paper on a Domestic Violence Disclosure scheme
There will be opportunities for members to contribute to a range of discussions over the next few weeks. In particular, we are seeking feedback from men engaged in MBCPs around the proposed design of the Support and Safety Hubs and their accessibility for men, which we will provide more information on in the next few weeks.
Implementing the Royal Commission recommendations
We are actively involved representing our members on a range of committees advising State Government on the implementation of the RCFV's recommendations. These include the Safety Hub development, MBCP Minimum Standards review, Central Information Point, and engaging and working with perpetrators. Members will have numerous opportunities in coming months to provide feedback to NTV/MRS in these areas.
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Sector updates
COAG VAW Summit report
The Commonwealth Government has recently released their report from the COAG Violence Against Women Summit in October 2016.
ANROWS research funding
Following an open application grants round in 2016, ANROWS announced funding for projects within the Perpetrator Interventions Research Program. The projects respond to research priorities identified by ANROWS under four strategic research themes:
- System effectiveness
- Effectiveness of interventions
- Models to address diversity of perpetrators
- Interventions developed by, with and for Indigenous communities.
To find out more and see the full list of projects, visit the ANROWS website.
The Research Priorities grants round is currently open and applications will be accepted until 31 March 2017. For more information on topics and to apply, visit the ANROWS website.
NSW DFV Innovation Fund
Women NSW is seeking expressions of interest for the $20 million DFV Innovation Fund. Funding is available for up to four years, for projects focused on improving outcomes and safety for clients and communities through prevention, early intervention or crisis support. To be eligible, projects must demonstrate new approaches to working, implementing or addressing a problem, rather than delivering ongoing services. Visit the NSW Government's innovation website for more information and/or to submit an EOI.
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Upcoming Events
National conference: Working with Men to End Domestic Violence
We're excited about the upcoming NTV / MRS Working with Men to End Domestic Violence Conference, scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2017, in Sydney. Read my blog post on the importance of being part of this first of many national conversations.
Contact Criterion Conferences Customer Care team for further information on 1300 316 882 or email registration@criterionconferences.com.
Free training: Trauma Informed Care and Practice
NTV/MRS has organised this full day training workshop for the Men's Referral Service's Telephone Referral Workers - with limited places also available for our members.
When: 9.00am-4.30pm, Wednesday 8 February
Where: Womin Je Ka Room, Studio 1, 15 Barnett Way, Richmond
Register: Places are limited, please register at your earliest convenience or contact Guy Penna for more information.
Free training: Identifying Family Violence
Northern Integrated Family Violence Services invites workers who are not directly involved in specialist family violence service provision, but who may work with women who are experiencing family violence, to a free training session to strengthen your understanding of family violence.
When: 9am-1.30pm, Thursday 16 February
Where: Darebin (full details on registration)
Register: Places are limited, register on Eventbrite or contact WHIN for more information.
Webinar: Why does he do that? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men.
Lundy Bancroft, American family violence expert, is delivering his first worldwide webinar events in March. The course of four webinars will be delivered to participants' inboxes, with a special offer of a fifth session featuring a live Q & A (note that the live Q & A will take place at 5am Australian Eastern time).
When: four weekly webinars available from Wednesday 1 March
Cost: $49USD register here.
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Employment Opportunities
Workforce Development Officer
No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service
We are currently recruiting a full time Workforce Development Officer to join our services team. This newly created role will contribute to the development and delivery of high quality training programs throughout Australia, to build the capacity of workers responding to men who use family violence and help enable NTV/MRS to work more effectively with our members. This role will take the lead in coordinating and delivering the revised Graduate Certificate in Male Family Violence.
For more information and to apply, please view the job ad online or contact hr@ntv.org.au.
Telephone Referral Workers
No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service
We are currently recruiting part time and full time Telephone Referral Workers in the Men's Referral Service Team. Telephone Referral Workers provide telephone counselling and referral services through inbound and outbound calls with men in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. Telephone Referral Workers also hold 6-month rotational portfolios, which provide opportunities to share expert advice in other areas of the organisation and contribute to meeting strategic goals through community engagement, communications, and volunteer management, for example.
For more information and to find out how to apply, please view the job ad online or contact hr@ntv.org.au.
Case Managers
Room4Change, DVCS, Canberra
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) in Canberra is seeking applicants for several full time Case Manager positions for their newest service offering, Room4Change: a residential therapeutic service that will work towards safety, human rights and self-determination for individuals, families and communities affected by men’s use of family and domestic violence. Salary ($65,010.40 - $79,000.48). Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants.
For more information or to apply, view the job ad online or contact admin@dvcs.org.au.
Female Co-Facilitator
Mitcham Family Violence Education and Support Service
Expressions of interest are invited for the role of Family Violence Program Group Co-facilitator at MFVESS. Fixed term commencing February 2017 until December 2017. 6 hours per week during school terms, must be worked on a Wednesday or Friday in one block. Casual rates apply. Women only may apply.
Contact Cathie Nederveen, for a position description or more information.
Female Co-Facilitator
LifeWorks Wyndham
LifeWorks is seeking an additional female co-facilitator for it's men's behaviour change program in Wyndham.
Contact Margaret Hodge for more information.
Male Co-Facilitor
Link Health and Community
Link health and community have a vacancy for a male facilitator for their Men's Responsibility Group program at their Clayton site, who is familiar with Narrative Therapy approaches and takes a pro feminist position. He will be required for approximately 13 Wednesday evening sessions a year and a monthly supervision group meeting during the day. Experience to a Level 2 (NTV Minimum Standards) is required.
Contact Helen Wirtz or Shelia Eva for more information.
Casual Male Co-Facilitator
Inner South Community Health
ISCH is seeking a casual facilitator for their men's behaviour change program, based in St Kilda. To apply, please submit your CV and a statement responding to the key selection criteria outlined in the position description to Simone Tassone.
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No To Violence / Men's Referral Service Membership
If you're not yet a member of NTV/MRS, application details to join are on our website. There are a range of membership options for individuals and organisations.
If you're already a member but haven't paid your annual fee, please contact our office at admin@ntv.org.au or on 03 9487 4500.
What's your news?
We love hearing from our members. To include your event updates and news for NTV / MRS members, please contact admin@ntv.org.au or 03 9487 4500.
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