Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania
Safe Places Coordinator: safeplaces@churchesofchrist.org.au, 03 9488 8800 or 0411 255 494.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence National Help Line, 1800 Respect: www.1800respect.org.au
Blue Knot Foundation (formerly Adults Surviving Child Abuse): www.blueknot.org.au
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (Vic): www.sacl.com.au
Centres Against Sexual Assault (Vic): www.casa.org.au or 1800 806 292
Laurel House (Tas): www.laurelhouse.org.au
Living Well: livingwell.org.au
SAMSN (Survivors And Mates Support Network): www.samsn.org.au or call the Helpline: 1800 4 SAMSN (72676)
Sexual Assault Support Services (Tasmania)
SASS provides a 24 hour a day support and information service regarding available choices to victims of recent rape or sexual assault, their family and support people including whether and how to:
- report the crime to Police
- have a Forensic Medical Examination (FME), medical check-up or access emergency contraception
- access ongoing counselling and support
Phone: (03) 6231 0044 / 1 800 MYSUPPORT (24 Hours)
Email: admin@sass.org.au
Suicide Prevention
Lifeline: www.lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14
Suicide Help Line (Vic): 1300 651 251
Mental Health Services Helpline (Tas): 1800 332 388
Suicide Call Back Service: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au or 1300 659 467
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au
A counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25
Family/ Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence National Help Line - 1800 Respect: www.1800respect.org.au
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria: safeandequal.org.au, Contact: 1 800 737 732
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as family or friends. It includes financial, emotional, physical, social or sexual abuse, and neglect. It may involve taking someone’s money or possessions, not providing necessary care, making threats or stopping an older person’s social contacts, as well as physical or sexual abuse. Elder abuse can happen to any older person, regardless of their background or lifestyle. If you or someone you know is in an unsafe or life-threatening situation you should ring 000.
For more information, training and services, click on the following links:
Elder Abuse Free Online Training: health.vic.gov.au/wellbeing-and-participation/elder-abuse-professional-development
Multi-language clip for CALD communities: eccv.org.au/elder-abuse-prevention/
Seniors Rights Victoria: seniorsrights.org.au or call 1300 368 821
Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline: advocacytasmania.org.au/our-services/#LeEjnHTJ or call 1800 441 169
Victorian Government's Elder Abuse Prevention and Response Initiative: www2.health.vic.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care/wellbeing-and-participation/preventing-elder-abuse
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June): elderabuseawarenessday.org.au/about-weaad
Carers Australia: carersaustralia.com.au/
For concerns regarding people receiving aged care services, we encourage you to raise your concern with the service provider. If the matter is not resolved, contact the Aged Care Complaints Scheme: www.agedcarecomplaints.gov.au or call 1800 550 552
Discrimination
The Human Rights Commission provides a free telephone enquiry Line, dispute resolution services, information and education about equal opportunity, racial and religious vilification and the Charter of Human Rights.
www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
Bullying
Everybody has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation or bullying. Under health and safety legislation, churches have an obligation to protect the welfare of workers. This includes doing everything you reasonably can to prevent the risk of bullying in your workplace. The anti-bullying legislation introduced in January 2014 requires that organisations are proactive about prevention and that they are prepared to handle any complaints of workplace bullying. And further, if you are aware of the risk of bullying and recklessly allow a worker to be exposed to a risk of serious injury, you could be found guilty of reckless conduct which carries a potential jail sentence and/or fines of up to $600,000. So not only do you have an ethical duty to help put a stop to workplace bullying, but it is also good stewardship to do so.
www.bullying.com.au/workplace-bullying/index.php
www.safechurchpcv.org.au/bullying
Cyber/Online Safety
Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner: www.esafety.gov.au
Think U Know: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au
Stay Smart Online (National): www.staysmartonline.gov.au
Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network: www.acorn.gov.au
Privacy
The range of activities in which our Affiliates engage means that there are a number of uses for personal and/or sensitive information within Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania (CCVT).
CCVT has made a commitment to adhere to the Privacy Act (1988 and as amended) and to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) that are contained in the Act. The CCVT Privacy Policy and Privacy Guidelines must be read in the light of the Act and the APPs.
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-law/privacy-act/australian-privacy-principles
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au
Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme: www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/consultations/notifiable-data-breaches
Screening of Leaders and Volunteers
Victoria:
National Police Record Checks: www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
Working with Children Checks (Vic): www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
Verify Working with Children Status (Vic): online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwccu/checkstatus.doj
Verify the registration of teachers currently able to teach (Vic): www.vit.vic.edu.au/search-the-register
Tasmania:
National Police Record Checks: www.police.tas.gov.au/services-online/police-history-record-checks
Working with Vulnerable People Check (Child related Activity): cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/licensing-and-registration/work-with-vulnerable-people/check-the-status-of-application-or-registration
Verify Working with Children Status (Tas): wwcforms.justice.tas.gov.au/RegistrationSearch.aspx
Child Abuse
Australian Childhood Foundation: www.childhood.org.au
Act For Kids: www.actforkids.com.au
Bravehearts: www.bravehearts.org.au
ChildSafe: www.childsafe.org.au
Commission for Children & Young People: ccyp.vic.gov.au
Reporting child abuse
Tasmania: communities.tas.gov.au/children/child_protection_services
Victoria: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/children,-families-and-young-people/child-protection
South Australia: www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/child-protection-initiatives
New South Wales: www.community.nsw.gov.au/
Victims Support Services (Tasmania)
Personal support, counselling, information and referral services to help people deal with the impact of crime.
Phone: 1300 300 238
Email: victims@justice.tas.gov.au
Victims of Crime Helpline (Victoria)
Specially trained staff provide information, advice and referrals to help victims manage the effects of crime including sexual assault/abuse.
Phone: 1800 819 817
Email: vsa@justice.vic.gov.au
Tools for Men
SAMSN (Survivors And Mates Support Network): www.samsn.org.au or call the Helpline: 1800 4 SAMSN (72676)
Counselling (Tasmania)
This is a Hobart-based program that delivers support and counselling to men. It assists men to enhance their relationships with their partners, ex-partners, children and step-children.
Phone: (03) 6213 3555 or 1800 243 232
Men’s Line Australia
The national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns.
- A safe and private place to talk about concerns;
- Confidential, anonymous and non-judgmental support;
- Coaching and practical strategies for managing personal relationship concerns;
- Relevant information and linkage to other appropriate services and programs as required.
- Telephone, Online and Video counselling
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Web: mensline.org.au
The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria
Provide assistance to victims of family violence and sexual assault
Phone: 1800 105 303
Email: information@fvpls.org