Tag Archive: family violence

  1. Marika Manioudakis to lead multidisciplinary approaches

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    ECLC is opening a new chapter in its collaboration and partnerships with key health, family violence and community services with the appointment of ECLC’s first Director of Family Violence Initiatives, Marika Manioudakis, who has responsibility for the growing range of ‘integrated practice‘ services.

    This includes multidisciplinary teams within ECLC and health justice partnerships that combine legal assistance with family violence, elder abuse, mental health and homelessness support in a variety of community settings. Marika will also lead the development of new models that respond to complex client needs and multiple forms of disadvantage with flexible approaches.

    A leading community services professional within the legal assistance sector, Marika has extensive experience in homelessness, mental health, disability, family violence and the intersections with the legal system. The ECLC team is looking forward to continuing to find new ways to give community members holistic and trauma-informed support.

  2. Funding boost to keep more women and children safe

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    More women living with or at risk of family violence in Melbourne’s east will be able to access the support and legal advice they need thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.

    Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has announced (Wednesday 14 April) that Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) will receive $464,000 for a pilot to expand its crucial early intervention services for women and children in the Knox local government area.

    The program is already available in the Maroondah and Yarra Ranges local government areas.

    What makes the program unique is the partnership between family violence lawyers and advocates and health services which provide a safe and confidential environment for mothers to seek help with family violence issues.

    Research shows that women who are pregnant or who have young babies are at an increased risk of experiencing family violence – either for the first time, or in escalating frequency or severity.

    The program supports women at this highly vulnerable time, arming them with information and linking them to specialist legal assistance and other family violence services.

    Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said, “Seeking help for family violence can be incredibly intimidating – this program gives women a safe, comfortable and non-judgemental environment to take those first steps and get the support they need.”

    Typically, women’s first contact with family violence services, police, lawyers, and courts occurs at a point of significant crisis. This program can help women before they reach this crisis point.

    Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams said, “This vital program ensures women can understand their options and access the advice and assistance they need – as early as possible.”

    Demand by women and children at risk of family violence has increased by 30 per cent on the previous year, mirroring the increased demand for family violence services seen during the pandemic throughout the state – and highlighting the importance of this vital program.

    This unique model combining health services and family violence legal assistance enabled women to continue to access the program through their regular health appointments while COVID-19 public health restrictions were in place for much of 2020.

    Member for Bayswater Jackson Taylor said, “The program has helped many women in our community experiencing family violence, particularly during the challenges arising from the pandemic – and that it was fantastic to see this support extended to the Knox community.”

    ECLC CEO Michael Smith said he welcomes this funding boost to help more women and children who have been exposed to family violence due to the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    “ECLC is working to expand this vital support to Knox residents and to help keep more women and children safe,” said Michael.

    The program is delivered in partnership with the Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service.

    People pictured above:

    L-R: Marika Manioudakis (ECLC), Michael Smith CEO (ECLC), Member for Bayswater Jackson Taylor, and Susan Amos, Belinda Lo, and Kathy Ho from ECLC welcome the Victorian Government’s funding boost which will enable ECLC to keep more women and children safe in the Knox area.

  3. State Government funding announcement: $300,000 boost to ECLC

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    ECLC has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of extra funding for its vital work over the next two years.

    ECLC will receive a total of $300,000 over this period, to continue and extend its work, across a range of programs.

    Michael Smith, CEO of Eastern Community Legal Centre, outlined that the resources will particularly focus on the Centre’s family violence and Yarra Ranges services.

    “ECLC assists community members affected by family violence in a wide range of circumstances, from early signs of concern, through to the Court process and beyond. These survivors, predominantly women and children, live right across the Eastern region and we need to work closely with and in these communities to be effective.

    “This funding is crucial for us to provide the holistic legal services that assist the most vulnerable people in need,” said Mr Smith.

    The funding will also enable the Centre to continue its successful Dandenong Ranges outreach service in Monbulk. Around 30 clients have been assisted by this new service since it commenced in June.

    The Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane, outlined his support for this vital work.

    “We’re proud to be delivering this funding to Eastern Community Legal Centre because it will help to improve access to legal services in our community and deliver more support to those who need it most.

    “I congratulate Eastern Community Legal Centre on their successful application, and thank them for their hard work and dedication to the Eastern Metropolitan community,” Mr Leane said.

  4. Busting the Myths about Family Violence

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    The ‘Busting the Myths’ is a new project that captures the stories of seven women and their experience of men’s violence.

    Produced by the Outer East Primary Care Partnership in partnership with Women’s Health East Speaking Out Advocates Program & EDVOS, this first video highlights how these women’s lived experiences expose and challenge some of the most commonly held social myths about violence against women.

    Watch the full video here, and find out more at oehcsa.org.au/portals/btm.

    For more information and resources related to family violence and the Intervention Order process at Court, visit Steps 2 Safety.

  5. #GE4Us: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

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     The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (16 Days) is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being.

    The 16 Days begin on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and end on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. These dates were chosen to highlight that violence against women is a human rights abuse. (Click here to read more about the significant events during the 16 Days).

    ECLC is proud to support #GE4Us, the 16 Days campaign led by Women’s Health East, which focuses on what gender equality looks like in action for the many diverse groups that shape Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region.

    As the fundamental driver of violence against women is gender inequality, the #GE4Us  campaign focuses on what gender equality looks like in everyday life by featuring community Ambassadors from Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region.

    ECLC will also share reflections about gender equality from our team and community during the 16 Days on Twitter.

    Read more about the 16 Days of Activism and the #GE4Us campaign here. 

     

  7. 43rd Annual General Meeting: Community Voice

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    The Hon. Martin Pakula MP, Attorney-General of Victoria was keynote speaker at Eastern Community Legal Centre’s (ECLC) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 22nd November. The event was an opportunity for ECLC’s community to reflect on a year of challenges, successes and exciting developments, including the launch of the Enhanced Entry Project.

     Attorney-General, The Hon. Martin Pakula MP

    Board Report: Janet Matton, Chairperson

      CEO’s Report: Michael Smith

    Enhanced Entry Project

    Community Voice: Dilnaz Billimoria

  8. EVENT: Respect Your Elders Indian Family Day and Community Forum

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    Join us for a Family Day about respecting elders and treating them with dignity.

    There will be representatives from a variety of services such as Victoria Police, Sheriff’s Office, Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Mediation Centre, Carers Victoria and much more!

    They will be providing information and helpful strategies on how to treat our elders respectfully.

    Saturday 11 November 2017

    10am – 2pm

    Room 1, 45 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley 3149

     

    Family members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

    Lunch and children play area provided.

    Register here.

    Download the flyer.

    This event is presented in partnership with IndianCare, Indian Senior Citizens Association Victoria, Victorian Multicultural Commission, Victoria State Government and Eastern Community Legal Centre.

  9. Attorney-General George Brandis QC launches new program to tackle family violence

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    Attorney-General George Brandis QC launched Eastern Community Legal Centre’s (ECLC) new family violence program, SAGE – Support, Advice, Guidance, Empowerment – at the Centre’s AGM on Wednesday 16 November. SAGE provides a unique ‘wraparound’ service for women experiencing or at risk of family violence, including legal, social and other support.

    ECLC CEO Michael Smith said the program, which integrates with other service providers across Melbourne’s east, seeks to engage women most in need of assistance.

    “The demand for family violence support has surged in recent years but many women still face barriers to accessing help. The SAGE program takes a partnership approach that’s more likely to reach women who fall through the cracks of mainstream and standalone services,” said Mr Smith.

    Women from especially vulnerable population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from migrant and CaLD backgrounds and women with mental health issues or a disability, will have priority access to the SAGE program.

    “With the SAGE program launched, we have greater capacity to provide a culturally safe service that responds to the whole-of-life issues that can arise with family violence,” said Mr Smith.

    In the 2015/16 year, ECLC assisted a record number of clients with 38% of the Centre’s work related to family violence matters and another 22% related to family law. ECLC assisted 945 clients at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court as part of its family violence Intervention Order Support Service, up 20% from the previous year.

    ECLC was one of 12 legal assistance providers nominated by the Federal Government in 2015 to develop a specialist family violence service under the Women’s Safety Package.

  10. ‘Equality Every Day’: Annual General Meeting & Family Violence Team launch

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    All people are created equal but for many, equality still has to be sought. ECLC supports people and communities every day as they seek equality and increasingly does this work in everyday places.

    At ECLC’s 2016 AGM, ‘Equality Every Day’, the Centre celebrates and highlights the work of its staff, volunteers and partners over 365 days.

    The launch of the new Family Violence Team, SAGE, will also feature the strategic and partnership approach of this much needed service amidst an increasing understanding of the devastating impacts of family violence.

    DATE
    Wednesday, 16 November 2016

    TIME
    2:00pm Launch of Family Violence Team
    3:00pm Annual General Meeting
    3:30pm Afternoon Tea / Refreshments

    PLACE
    The Camberwell Parkview Room
    340 Camberwell Road, Camberwell
    (Car parking is limited)

    RSVP
    by Friday, 11 November 2016
    via TryBooking

    Enquiries: 1300 32 52 00 (1300 ECLC 00)

    View or download the invitation