SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME
Merri Health ’ s Victims Assistance Program ( VAP ) offers free support for people who have experienced a violent crime . We help them cope with the effects of a crime , explain ‘ legal talk ’, provide practical assistance and help them connect with the right services .
What did we achieve ?
exceeded targets for service hours , criminal justice support and support to vulnerable groups :
criminal justice support : – 15 % above target ( Hume ) – 31 % above target ( Northern )
diverse groups : – 48 % above target ( Hume ) – 51 % above target ( Northern )
service hours : – 7.8 % above target ( Northern )
improved response time for clients and staff satisfaction within six months , following an external review of VAP and implementation of an action plan to improve efficiency , performance and culture
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Hume clients surveyed to assess effectiveness of the Hume VAP program with positive feedback
completed an evaluation of the 2019 Finding Your Way homicide support group
funding secured for new Family Violence Practice Lead positions to advance specialist and non-specialist service delivery
Challenges
• COVID and lockdowns impacted trauma and mental health of clients who had experienced a violent crime and limited support to telehealth
• recruitment in Regional areas remains a challenge across the health sector . The Hume VAP Koorie engagement position remains vacant after two years of recruitment attempts
What ’ s next ?
• implement Finding Your Way support group
• continue to monitor changes made following the VAP review to maintain efficiency and performance
• delivering training for Hume VAP staff
RESPONDING TO THE NEED TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE
Research from the RSPCA has shown that one in three women delay leaving family violence situations due to concerns about leaving their pets behind . In response to this , the Keeping our Pets Safe ( KOPS ) project works to increase awareness of companion animals as both victims and a barrier to fleeing family violence . KOPS is an initiative of our Victims Assistance program .
We partnered with seven Northern Metropolitan councils and the nation-wide Lucy ’ s Project to identify animal-friendly respite services to assist victims leaving , address legislation and deliver upskill training .
What did we achieve ?
delivered family violence training to
13 veterinary clinic workers in Hume in collaboration with Women ’ s Health in the North ( WHIN ), through two Hume and Darebin Council grants
supported researchers from Melbourne University to investigate the impact of family violence on victim survivors and their companion animals in partnership with The Lucy Project
What ’ s next ?
Staff at International Women ’ s Day
• continue to support Melbourne University researchers to investigate the impact of family violence on victim survivors and their companion animals
• advocate for the rights of family violence victims and their companion animals by working with the Victorian chapter of Lucy ’ s Project
* Volant et al . / Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse , Journal of Interpersonal Violence , 2008 ( abs . gov . au )
MERRI HEALTH / ANNUAL REPORT 2022
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