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COVID-19 and Women’s Health West’s services

Women’s Health West is continuing to deliver essential services to women and children who experience family violence during the COVID-19 health emergency. We remain open and will continue to provide our family violence services. As well as this, we will continue to follow up referrals received from Victoria Police following incidents of family violence. 

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Federal government must provide adequate funding for family violence services

Women’s Health West have written to our local Federal Members of Parliament to ensure the government does not effectively cut funding to our family violence services in the forthcoming federal budget.

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New Resources: Court Support and Intervention Order Fact Sheets

Women’s Health West has new resources available.

The Court Support Fact Sheet contains information surrounding the support available at Women’s Health West, including how the service operates, who can access it, the ways that it can help victim survivors of family violence, information about intervention orders, how to make an appointment, and contact details for legal organisations.

The Family Violence Intervention Order (IVO) fact sheet describes what an intervention order is and contains information surrounding the process, including whether you should obtain legal advice, the conditions that can be included, the process of going to court, and contact details for legal organisations.

They can be downloaded here:

COURT-SUPPORT FACT SHEETDownload

INTERVENTION ORDER FACT SHEETDownload

HaiR-3Rs – Family violence awareness training for salons

In Australia, two women die every 10 days due to family violence. Research shows that many women form close relationships with their salon professionals and confide in them about the violence or controlling behaviour they are experiencing at home.

HaiR-3Rs is an internationally evidence-informed family violence awareness training for salon professionals to learn how to recognise signs of family violence, respond appropriately to disclosures and refer clients to family violence services for help and support.

A project of Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS), Women’s Health West have partnered with EDVOS to deliver five Hair-3Rs training sessions that offer a specific focus on services and support in Melton and Wyndham council areas.

Our three hour interactive workshop is open to anyone working in hair and beauty, including students. Participants will learn:

  • The 3Rs – recognise, respond and refer
  • The link between gender inequality and family violence
  • How to engage in conversations that challenge community attitudes that reinforce gender inequality and violence

Training is available online via Zoom or in person with a COVID-safe plan. Sessions can be scheduled on a date and time of your choice (including after hours). Min. 5 people, max 20 people.

Download the HAIR-3Rs flyer here:Download

For further information:

To book follow the link: http://bit.ly/Hair-3Rs

Letter Opposing Application for Poker Machines in Wyndham

Women’s Health West has written to Wyndham Councillors and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, to oppose the licencing application for 70 poker machines.

Increased access to gambling will deepen risk factors and exacerbate already increased rates of family violence in the Western Metropolitan region. Problem gambling worsens existing health inequities and further burdens social services, and does not contribute to the economic and social recovery needed for the community.

Read the letter in full here:

Download

Sunrise Groups Recruitment – Now Open

Sunrise Groups are social groups for *women, gender diverse and non-binary people with disabilities from all cultures who live in Melbourne’s West.  If you have a disability, chronic health condition and/or mental health condition, live in Melbourne’s west and want to connect with other like-minded people, then we’d love to hear from you.

Where are the groups?

We meet weekly on Zoom and hope to resume fortnightly face to face meetings soon in local council areas in the western metropolitan region where there is the most community interest.  If you need help to access a Zoom call (e.g. internet or device) we can assist.  All venues are wheelchair accessible and public transport is nearby.

What types of things do we do at Sunrise?

We come together to:

  • Build friendships and support each other
  • Get information about staying healthy
  • Build our confidence
  • Get to know our local community
  • Find out about services
  • Try new things and have some fun!

We plan what we want to do together every six months. This often includes inviting guest presenters that speak to us about things like:

  • Health and well-being
  • Managing anxiety and depression
  • Building healthy relationships
  • Safety at home and in the community
  • Services in the community

We also do social things, like:

  • Having a BBQ in the park
  • Visiting the Zoo
  • Beauty therapy & massage
  • Arts and crafts

It’s free to join for people who are over 18, live in the west of Melbourne and are not an NDIS participant. Morning tea is provided and most of our activities are free too!  Sessions will be hosted in English however all cultures are welcome.

How do I join a group?

To find out more about the Sunrise groups, please call or email Fofi & Beth, the Sunrise project workers at Women’s Health West.

Phone: 9689 9588
Mobile: 0407 061 702
Email: sunrise@whwest.org.au

What if I feel a little nervous about coming along?

The first step is to ring the Sunrise team and we will arrange to meet with you and can help work out what assistance you might need to come along. For example, you might want to come along with someone you trust while you get to know the group. Or you might need help to join a Zoom call.

Do you need help connecting online?

We can help you use your device (computer, ipad, smartphone) or access one, to connect with our Zoom meetings. We can also help out with internet access. We are happy to tailor digital support to your needs.

If you are interested in joining but feel a little unsure, we encourage you to give us a try. We would love to meet you.

*WHW warmly welcomes women, trans, gender diverse people and/or non-binary folk who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women.

Women’s Health West is actively moving our practices and programs towards an evolved understanding of gender. We believe individuals have the right to express and identify their gender however they choose.

We welcome any feedback: whwest.org.au/about-us/feedback-and-complaints/

Download Flyer And Brochure

Sunrise Group Program Brochure 2021 Download
Sunrise Group Program Brochure 2021 – Accessible Word Document Download
Sunrise Recruitment Flyer March 2021Download
Sunrise Recruitment Flyer March 2021 – Accessible Word Document Download