1. family and parenting
2. children

Annual Report
2012-2013
Together we are stronger
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Domestic violence can happen to anyone but
is mainly committed by men against women,
children and other vulnerable people. It is endemic
in the community and affects people of all walks
of life regardless of age, culture, sexual identity,
ability, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status.
Quick Fact
A woman is killed by her
partner or ex-partner every
week in Australia.
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service
(WDVCS) is a voice for the prevention and
elimination of violence against women and
children in Victoria. Working collaboratively with
the police, criminal justice system and other
agencies who work to prevent domestic violence,
we offer a comprehensive range of quality services
to support women and children.
Contents
Our values underpin the way we deliver services
and engage with those who access support.
The core values of WDVCS are:
Page 3
The support we offer
•Non violent
Page 4
Chair Report
– Toni Campbell
Page 5
CEO Report
– Annette Gillespie
Page 6 & 7
Year in Review
Page 8 & 9
Lisa’s Story
Page 10
Media Advocate Profile
Page 11
Relevant Statistics
Page 12
Governance
Page 13
Management and staff
Page 14 & 15
Financial Summary
Page 15
Behaviours that put women
and children at risk
Back Cover
How to access support
& You can help WDVCS
•Empowering
•Feminist *
•Ethical and respectful
•Collaborative
•Authoritative and evidence based
*Feminism is the advocacy of women’s
rights on the grounds of political, social,
economic equality with men.
Supporters
The support of the community, donors, volunteers,
businesses and corporations is fundamental to
WDVCS’s ability to deliver quality services to its
clients. A sincere thank you is extended to all who
have generously contributed to the organisation.
WDVCS would particularly like to thank the
following for their ongoing support over
many years:
Department of Human Services, Vic Health, Office
of Women’s Affairs and Victorian Women’s Trust.
2
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
The support we offer
24-hour Crisis Response
Women and children living with family violence,
or someone who knows a person living with
family violence, can call WDVCS Crisis Line from
anywhere in Australia, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Our Crisis Support Advocates are on
hand to help women explore their options and
escape abuse.
Safe house accommodation
When women and children are at high risk of
injury or death, our priority is to always get them
to a safe place. This often means helping a woman
and her children to move into a room at our safe
house. It’s here that she will be free from danger.
Safe house accommodation is typically short
term. Women and children have all the comforts
of a home, including a kitchen with a wellstocked fridge and pantry, bathroom, communal
recreational areas, play rooms and garden.
During their stay, we will continue to work
through options with the woman to determine
what her next steps might be in finding
permanent safety solutions.
Due to high demand on our safe house
accommodation facility, we collaborate with
external agencies to locate alternative options for
emergency accommodation.
Refuge
Refuge is a longer-term option than safe house
accommodation. It gives women the time and
space to make decisions about their futures,
including securing private rental accommodation,
enrolling children in new schools and negotiating
work leave arrangements. WDVCS advocates on
behalf of women to find them a refuge that will
meet their needs.
We also host Victoria’s quarterly meetings of
refuges. It gives us first-hand knowledge of
current political and social issues in housing for
domestic violence victims and how to enhance
services for women and children.
Outreach services
Not all women want to leave their homes. Their
children may be settled in the local school, or they
may want to stay close to employment or their
friends and family. WDVCS works with women to
help them find alternative solutions. We might
talk to them at safe times in their own homes
or in discreet places in the community. We can
help women draw up safety plans, progress
applications for intervention orders, assist with
emergency financial payments, and provide
emotional support.
Information
Not every woman who calls our Crisis Response
Line will want or need emergency support. Some
simply want to know what domestic violence is
and callers don’t have to give us their name if they
don’t want to. Our Crisis Support Advocates can
answer questions and offer advice on topics such
as the warning signs of abuse in relationships,
technology safety tips, how to help a family
member or friend who is experiencing domestic
violence, and the impacts of violence on children.
Advocacy
WDVCS champions the voices of women and
children experiencing domestic violence to
influence positive changes in the sector. We
advocate for policy changes, legal reform,
better services, increased funding and to keep
domestic violence high on the political agenda and
prominent in the social discourse.
We actively engage with government and in the
last year lodged a submission to support the
enquiry into child sex abuse.
WDVCS delivers the best possible service and
outcome for women and children affected by
family violence. To achieve these and to be
the leader in our field, we regularly review our
practices and processes in line with international
best practice to deliver the highest level of service.
We keep the campaign alive by having a strong
presence in traditional media and new media
platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
Training
Our training experts provide quality training and
professional development for internal staff and
external family violence workers.
We also deliver media skills training for women
who have experienced domestic violence as part
of the Media Advocacy Project, jointly funded by
VicHealth and the Office of Women’s Affairs.
3
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Chair Report
I am excited to be the
Chair of the Women’s
Domestic Violence
Crisis Service (WDVCS)
as we undergo a
dramatic renewal.
We are making changes
that will best position
the organisation to
continue to assist
women and their
children to live free from violence and abuse.
It has been a busy year for WDVCS. On the world
stage, there is growing passion, action and
determination to reduce and eliminate violence
against women. In Australia, both state and federal
governments are funding new bodies to prevent
violence against women and children, including
the National Centre of Excellence established in
November 2012. In Victoria, domestic violence is
increasingly being framed in the public discourse as
individuals and organisations like WDVCS campaign
strongly for improved services for women and their
children. WDVCS is part of this international and
local wave of change that demands the fulfilment of
every woman’s right to live in safety.
According to the latest report from the World Health
Organization, more than one third of all women
worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence
in their lifetime. Domestic violence is the most
prevalent type of violence against women, regardless
of where they live, how much money they earn, their
level of education or their ethnicity. It is tragic that
the single most common experience Australian
women share with other women across the world is
domestic violence.
In Victoria, the statistics are no less shocking. The
number of family violence incidents reported to
Victoria Police jumped 21.6 per cent – up from 50,382
in 2011-2012 to 60,829 in 2012-2013.
Victoria Police Commissioner Ken Lay highlighted
a compelling analogy. If each week an Australian
citizen was murdered at a train station, police
officers would flood stations on foot and people
would avoid public transport in favour of their private
cars. But when one woman each week is murdered
by her current or former partner in Australia, the
community is often silent.
4
Understanding the gendered nature of domestic
violence is crucial to preventing violence against
women. Victoria Police crime statistics show that
women make up 75.8% of family violence victims,
88.7% of rape victims and 79.5% of sexual assault
victims. Perpetrators of violence against women are
91-95% male. To achieve change we must challenge
and neutralise the attitudes, beliefs and culture that
support inequality between women and men.
Domestic violence is a global phenomenon. It is
therefore fitting that WDVCS’s new CEO Annette
Gillespie brings her wealth of international
experience and expertise to the role. Since her
appointment in December 2012, Annette has taken
WDVCS in a new and exciting direction. Her vision
for the organisation is that WDVCS is a world
leader in service provision for women and their
children experiencing domestic violence, prevention
and advocacy.
The WDVCS Board will continue working with the
CEO to achieve this vision, to enable the organisation
to obtain the resources, funds and personnel
necessary to implement objectives. It has continued
to maintain good governance in driving the strategic
direction of the WDVCS.
On behalf of the Board, I would like thank Janene
Evans for all her hard work as interim CEO. Special
thanks must also go to Lisa Sarmas, who after 10
years on the Board of WDVCS, retired on 27 March
2013, and former Board Treasurer Jacqui Wilson,
who has also retired.
We are immensely grateful to our funding bodies,
as well as the generosity of individuals, companies,
organisations and our partners who have supported
us throughout the year.
– Toni Campbell
Quick Fact
Family violence costs the Australian
economy $13.6 billion every year.
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
CEO Report
‘’I would see family
violence as the greatest
social epidemic of our
time. It is corroding
the fabric of Australian
society. The damage
that it does to women’s
ability to participate is
enormous and I think
many people don’t
realise that.’’
(Annette Gillespie, 23/06/2013 Sydney Morning Herald)
It is always important to bear in mind the bigger
picture when working tirelessly at the crisis end
of domestic violence. When we hear countless
stories of women and their children fleeing violence
and abuse in their own homes, it is can be easy to
lose sight of the progress we are making towards
improving women and children’s safety and quality
of life.
Domestic and family violence is the leading
contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian
women aged 15 to 44. However, there is hope amid
the horrific toll of physical and psychological injuries.
We gain strength when we see women free to reach
their full potential. We are heartened when children
can live without constraint and in complete safety.
A major achievement of 2013 was the successful
re-accreditation of WDVCS by QICSA under
the Department of Human Services Standard
Accreditation. The accreditation review stated, we
were rated as a leader in practice in our ability
to integrate with other domestic violence service
providers, our connectedness to the broader
community, and our focus on the safety of women
and children.
In the past financial year, our accounting process
has fully transitioned to an accrual basis complying
with best-practice accounting standards. Prudent
fiscal management has retained WDVCS in a
strong financial position, however the coming
years present many opportunities and challenges
for the organisation. We already know that there
are innumerable individuals, businesses and
corporations who want to help women and children
escaping domestic violence. Our future task is to
enable our supporters to contribute to projects that
improve the lives of women and children leaving
violent and abusive relationships.
We continue our active involvement on state
and national levels in violence prevention and
improvements to service provision. In March 2013,
we made a submission to the Victoria Parliament
Inquiry into Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and
Other Non-Government Organisations. As a member
of the Domestic and Family Violence Crisis Lines of
Australia Network, we attended the national meeting
in Fremantle in May 2013.
WDVCS continues to host Victorian refuge and
outreach service meetings, placing the organisation
as the leader in state-wide integrated responses to
supporting women and children on their journeys
from living with violence to safety. We have been
actively engaged in state-wide sector reform
consultations and national collaborative initiatives.
In April 2013, we were honoured to be sponsored
by the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance
to attend the inaugural Stand Up! National
Conference on eliminating all forms of violence
against Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Women.
Likewise, as part of our commitment to improving
outcomes for CALD women, we have started
collecting specific statistics on migrant women
without Australian permanent residency using our
service to improve our understanding of the diversity
of women’s experiences.
Another accomplishment is our increased presence
in the media. I have had the invaluable opportunity
to speak on issues of family violence across different
media platforms in Australia, including Channel
Ten’s The Project, the Sydney Morning Herald, the
Herald Sun and the ABC. We have also entered the
realm of social media by launching WDVCS accounts
in Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin in June 2013.
These new media platforms connect us with a wider
revolution and allow us to communicate with new
audiences.
I would like to thank our dedicated and passionate
staff members and volunteers who work so hard to
ensure our clients live in safety. I am also grateful
to the Board for its resolute commitment to the
strategic direction of the organisation and its
continuing success.
Above all, I would like to celebrate the courageous
women and children who come through our service.
Your fortitude is an inspiration to all of us.
– Annette Gillespie
5
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Year in Review
There have been many highlights throughout the year,
with WDVCS delivering an outstanding service for
clients, elevating media reporting of domestic violence,
empowering women to tell their stories, influencing
change at the policy level and connecting with the global
campaign to eliminate violence against women.
Service developments
In the past year, WDVCS
has implemented several
changes to improve
service provision. We are
delighted to welcome
Deborah McCormick as
the new Quality Assurance
and Training Coordinator. Deborah has worked
in the family violence sector for 17 years and was
most recently the Southern Regional Domestic
Violence (Program) Advisor in New Zealand’s
Ministry of Justice. Deborah will be instrumental
in ensuring all WDVCS employees are equipped
with the skills and knowledge to deliver best
outcomes for our clients.
A big focus for WDVCS in the past financial year
has been to increase capacity in responding to
police referrals. As part of these improvements,
a dedicated Police Response Advocate (PRA) has
been appointed. Family violence continues to drive
up crime rates in Victoria, with one third of all
crimes against the person in the past financial
year related to family violence. When police attend
family violence incidents they refer women to our
service for assistance. Having a PRA means we
can respond quickly to the large number of women
dealing with the criminal and justice system.
As part of our commitment to improving the lives
of children who have experienced family violence,
we assigned a specialist Children’s Advocate. Art
and play spaces in our safe house were created to
help strengthen the mother and child bond after
leaving violent and abusive situations.
Quick
Fact
6
Eliminating violence
against women is
everybody’s business.
Educating our communities
In February, WDVCS had
the pleasure of hosting Ela
Gandhi, an internationallyrenowned social activist and
the granddaughter of Mahatma
Gandhi. The eminent South
Africa-based advocate of
Gandhian non-violent solutions
met with WDVCS CEO Annette
Gillespie, staff members and
volunteer media advocates.
Ela sat down with advocates to talk about their
experiences with support services, police and
the legal system when escaping domestic
violence. Advocates gave her invaluable insight
into how the system worked and didn’t work
for victims. Despite the confronting and deeply
personal stories told, Ela was a compassionate
and perceptive listener. She radiated a calming
ambience and was a tremendous inspiration to all
who met her.
In the same month, we hosted Sina Retzlaff, a
recipient of AusAid’s Pacific Leaders Fellowship.
Sina visited Melbourne as a guest of the ABC. We
delivered a presentation on the Media Advocacy
Project with the aim that it would help Sina
achieve her developmental goal of changing the
mindset in Samoa that condones violence against
women and makes it acceptable for men to “rule”
over their wives.
In March, WDVCS also welcomed a delegation of
judges from the Supreme People’s Court of China.
The event was an excellent opportunity for the
delegation to learn about the role of WDVCS
in assisting victims of domestic violence. The
judges were guests of the Australian Human
Rights Commission.
WDVCS
Celebrating diversity
WDVCS is committed to
improving services for women
from culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) backgrounds and
women living with a disability.
In April 2013, the WDVCS Direct
Service Coordinator and WDVCS
Media Advocate Yee Man Louie
were sponsored by the Australian
Women Against Violence Alliance
to attend the inaugural Stand Up! National
Conference on eliminating all forms of violence
against Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Women in Canberra.
The conference brought together experts from all
over the world, as well as grass roots practitioners
and women from CALD backgrounds who have
experienced gendered-violence, including
domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sex
trafficking, forced marriage and sexual servitude.
The WDVCS Direct Service Coordinator and Yee
Man met many inspirational women who had
suffered so much, yet remained strong. It was
an opportunity for them to learn more about
other forms of violence against women, including
human trafficking and issues facing CALD sex
workers in Canada.
In a new initiative, WDVCS has collated and
analysed statistics on the number of clients
contacting the crisis line phone number who did
not have an Australian permanent residency visa.
The initiative was driven by a concern that migrant
women who do not have permanent residency and
were experiencing domestic violence were facing
additional challenges.
Migrant women who call the crisis line often
report stories of their husbands threatening to
have them deported if they tell anyone about the
violence. The women are isolated, they have no
friends or family in Australia and have no access
to money. Other barriers for migrant women
included a lack of knowledge about family violence
and their legal rights, language barriers, cultural
beliefs and norms regarding marriage, divorce
and gender roles and community pressures to stay
in a violent relationship.
WDVCS hopes the data can be used to improve
resources for migrant women and lobby for
changes to legislation and policy that better
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
protect migrant women experiencing
domestic violence.
A significant achievement for WDVCS was
becoming the first family violence service provider
in Victoria to develop a Disability Action Plan (DAP).
The DAP helps create a supportive environment
where the whole organisation from the Board,
CEO, leadership team and Crisis Support
Advocates engaged in a process of continuous
improvement, work towards the elimination of any
barriers to service access experienced by women
and children with a disability.
Media Advocacy
Now in its seventh year our
Media Advocacy Project
continues to be a key program
focussed on preventing violence
against women and children. The
program continues to expand
throughout Victoria with WDVCS
providing leadership and support
to an increasing network of
volunteer media advocates.
Women who have experienced domestic violence
are trained as volunteer advocates to become
spokespeople that influence change through the
media, community and on the world stage.
In the past year, volunteer advocates have been
involved in more than 60 media opportunities and
numerous public speaking engagements and
other sector events. We trained 12 new advocates
from different parts of metropolitan Melbourne
and regional Victoria. Already they are busy with
various media interviews and guest speaker roles.
In July 2012, Hobson’s Bay Weekly journalist Goya
Dmytryshchak’s series of articles titled ‘Breaking
the cycle of family violence’ won the Best Online
Journalism category in the EVA Media Awards.
It marked a great success for advocate Sahar
Ghaly, who was interviewed for the story. Sahar’s
dignity and courage was evident as she effectively
communicated key messages on family violence.
The project is now jointly funded by VicHealth and
the Office of Women’s Affairs. We thank them for
their ongoing support.
WDVCS acknowledges the amazing contributions
of all our advocates. Without their dedication,
passion and strength the Media Advocacy Project
would not exist.
7
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Lisa’s Story
Every day of the year women seek support and
guidance from Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service
(WDVCS). For some women seeking help is both overwhelming
and frightening not knowing if their decision is the right one or
if the perpetrator will find out and if so, what consequences this
may be bring. Following the initial contact some women make
the decision to leave the violence behind and find safety for
themselves and their children.
Lisa’s story is the journey of one courageous woman who
makes the difficult decision to leave her partner of six months.
WDVCS supported Lisa and her children every step of the way.
“Media
Quote”
“Staying in their
home suburb
may be too risky
because the
abuser can easily
find them again.”
(Annette Gillespie,
21/07/2013
The Weekly Review)
Lisa* had recently separated from her partner when she called the
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service 24-hour crisis response.
The 30-year-old Australian woman was scared and highly anxious when
she explained to the Crisis Support Advocate (CSA) that her ex-partner,
Rodger*, was stalking her by calling her mobile incessantly – on average
15 times a day demanding to know where she was and what she was doing.
The young mother has three children aged between four and ten years
from a previous relationship. Rodger was sending text messages to Lisa’s
oldest child and told the child that he would kill her mother.
Rodger had driven past Lisa’s home almost daily and each time a male
friend was in the car with him. Lisa was convinced that he had been
tampering with her car at night because the petrol has been siphoned out
on several occasions.
Struggling financially and living in a rental property Lisa cannot afford to
buy her own home because of debt she incurred from a previous marriage
with the father of her children, Andrew*. Lisa is the sole income earner
and provider for her children due to Andrew’s gambling problem.
To add to this, Lisa was concerned that she was at risk of losing her job as
a travel consultant in Melbourne. She had numerous sick days to deal with
the stress associated with the abuse from Roger.
The impact of Rodger’s abuse on Lisa’s children was worrying. The children
were becoming noticeably distressed and the oldest child, who had been
receiving the threatening texts, had started wetting the bed and refused to
go to school because she was frightened that her mother would be killed if
she was left alone.
Lisa had reported Rodger’s behaviour to police, but had not considered
taking out an intervention order against him.
8
WDVCS
On contacting WDVCS Lisa spent an hour talking
on the phone to the CSA. The CSA conducted a
risk assessment, reassured Lisa and together they
discussed safety planning that included the option
of living in safe house accommodation. Lisa was
reluctant to live in a safe house because she could
not afford to give up her job and was unsure about
the children taking more time off school – it was a
huge dilemma for her.
The CSA ran through options with Lisa and they
decided to apply for extended leave from work
until Lisa was able to get a few measures in place.
She was also advised to pack personal belongings
for her and the children in readiness for a room
becoming available in the safe house. A room
became vacant quickly and the CSA arranged for
Lisa to discreetly meet a safe house worker.
The worker settled Lisa and her three children
into the house. She was introduced to the
other women and children who were in similar
situations. Lisa was told that while staying at
the safe house she could call the WDVCS crisis
response during the night if she needed to.
Lisa was encouraged to contact family members
for support and to suggest they turn off their
phones for a few days in case Rodger tried to
contact them.
After a restful night’s sleep, Lisa and her children
were for the first time in many months feeling
relieved to have somewhere safe to stay. However,
Rodger was potentially very dangerous due to his
escalating behaviour of stalking, harassment and
threats to kill.
The following morning, Lisa met with the worker
to discuss the next steps. The worker explained
the process of applying for an intervention order.
Lisa was also concerned about work and her
children’s schooling. Interim measures were put
in place including Lisa negotiating to take three
weeks’ unpaid leave and a time was set for Lisa
to attend court to apply for an intervention
order. The worker also arranged for Lisa to go to
Centrelink for an emergency payment because
she had no money.
Lisa had to think about finding new rental
accommodation because she understood that she
could not stay in the safe house long term. A CSA
advocated with Lisa’s landlord so that she could
give short notice to leave the property.
The CSA also referred Lisa to an outreach service
that could help her with obtaining financial
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
assistance in order to be able to afford new private
rental accommodation.
In the meantime, the children stayed away from
school so as not to be found by Rodger. They were
to re-enrol in a new school in the area where Lisa
hoped to find a property. The children’s behaviour
had settled, although they were still very clingy.
Lisa had become stressed as she had wanted
things to move faster. Although Rodger had not
been able to locate Lisa and her children, he
continued to call and text her. She feared that
it would only be a matter of time before Rodger
discovered where she was working and started
causing trouble for her employer.
After five days in the safe house, Lisa was
still struggling to secure private rental
accommodation. The crisis response team
investigated options for Lisa and her children to
move into a longer-term refuge. Understandably
Lisa was reluctant to leave the safe house as she
had established a good rapport with staff and did
not want to repeat her story and move the children
again. At last she felt safe.
The outcome of the intervention order was positive
– an interim order was granted by the court. But
Lisa knew Rodger would fight it and he had the
resources to hire a good lawyer. Rodger was also
very charming and plausible when he wanted to
be, and Lisa was concerned that the court system
would not believe her.
Lisa knew that this was just the beginning of
a long journey and that moving away from her
abuser did not mean the end of her troubles.
She understood that staff at WDVCS were doing
everything in their power to support Lisa and her
children. It made the world of difference that there
was someone there to listen to her and believe
her story.
* Names have been changed to protect the identity
of ‘Lisa’ and her children
Quick
Fact
Domestic violence is
never the fault of victims.
Perpetrators are in control
of their own behaviours and
choose to use violence.
9
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Media Advocacy
For nearly 20 years Christine had stayed silent
about her experiences with domestic violence.
As a university lecturer in social work, she had
always been well aware of the statistics and facts
of domestic violence and could recognise a “myth
from a mile off”.
But despite all that knowledge, telling her story
still felt immensely daunting. Christine said she
had lost the confidence to speak out.
“I really did some soul searching and realised that
in many ways I was still protecting my perpetrator
and my silence would contribute to the silence
of many women and do nothing to bring to light
the ‘professional’ men who perpetrate domestic
violence,” Christine said.
through this forum, and we do not see these and
similar issues as part of a continuum that leads to
women being treated badly by their partners, we
are not going to solve the issue,” Christine said.
“Increased police attendance and increased
punishments for perpetrators are at the end of the
continuum. I think the sexism and sexist attitudes
to women in Australia flies under the media radar
most of the time and until we call our society on
this, we are not truly attacking the issue.”
To book a media advocate to present at a
conference or event, please contact the
Communications Officer on (03) 9928 9600.
When Christine expressed interest in participating
in Media Advocacy Training in June 2013, she
wanted to gain ideas and skills in how to use
her personal story to change society’s attitudes
and beliefs that fuel and enable violence against
women.
“The media training was very helpful with this,”
Christine said.
Christine wants the community to understand
that domestic violence can happen to anyone
regardless of level of education, economic status,
religion, culture or ethnicity.
“Often victims of domestic violence in the media
are portrayed as uneducated or poor and this
somehow leads to a stereotype that in many
ways contributes to society blaming the victim,”
Christine said.
“I run groups in secondary colleges and see the
attitudes of young men towards young women
and I realise we are not tackling this issue in the
holistic ways we should be.”
Christine is concerned that the media still
struggle to make the connection between gender
inequality, and sexist and misogynist attitudes
towards women and domestic violence.
“While we sanction various forms of pornography,
while we grapple with social media and the
pressure on young women to do what men ask
10
Quick
Fact
Intimate partner violence
is the leading contributor
to death, disability and illness
in Victorian women aged
15 to 44.
Total number of calls - monthly
July 2012 - June 2013
WDVCS
ANNUAL
REPORT 2012-2013
1773 1773
3100
July
3195
Aug
Relevant Statistics
Sep
3283
Oct
Nov
3074
July 2012 - June 2013
Dec
35294
3299
Interesting
Page 11 Interesting
statistics statistics
Jan
Feb
3416
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3316
accurate. We are committed to providing a service that is evidence based.
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- monthly
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3283
35294
35294
3074
3299
3299
3416
3316
3064
•
July
August
August
3416
3316
2949
2949
3064
3052
3052
3052
Persons by Ethnicity
Australia
NZ
India
October
Australia operating fr
• WDVCS has two dedicated Police Response Advocates
Vietnam
September
NZ
9am to 11pm Monday to Friday.
China
November
November
December
December
January
January
February
February
March
March
April
April
May
May
June
June
September
3283
3074
July
Ma
Persons by Ethnicity
Persons by Ethnicity
3100
3195
Apr
Jun
2949
3064
Ma
October
Response to police line
July 2012 - June 2013
8%
8%
10%
9%
6%
8%
12%
8%
India
Iran
Vietnam
Sudan
China
England
Iran
Thailand
Sudan
July
Philippines
England
August
Lebanon
Thailand
September
Srilanka
October
Turkey
November
9%
Not
recorded7 days per
• WDVCS has
hours
9% a dedicated police line operating 24
7%
6%
December
This line responded to 17,204 calls over the period from July 2012
January
June 2013.
• WDVCS has a dedicated
police line operating 24 hours 7 days per
week.
February
This line responded
to 7
17,204
the period from July 2012 to
Persons
Persons
by Ethnicity
EthnicityPolice
• WDVCS
has
adedicated
dedicated
policeResponse
line operating
24 hours
dayscalls
perover
week.
WDVCS
has
twoby
Advocates
operating
from
June 2013.
This line responded toAustralia
17,204 Australia
calls over the period
from
Julyage
2012
to June
2013. assisted throughout the sam
• The
average
of those
that WDVCS
9am to 11pm Monday to Friday.
• WDVCS has two dedicated Police Response Advocates operating from
period is 35 years of age.
NZ
NZ
9am to 11pm Monday to Friday.
Response to police line
• WDVCS placed 1595 women and children into emergency
India
India
Response to police line
Age
of women
& children
supported
Age of
women
& children
supported
Vietnam
Vietnam
accommodation during the same period.
July 2012 - June 2013
Response to police line
China
China
0% 0%
July 2012 - Iran
June 2013
Iran
July
6%
9%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
9%
6%
Sudan
England
12%
8%
Thailand
12%
8%
10%
Sudan
August
England
September
Thailand
October
0 - 2 years
Age of women & children supported
3 - 5 years
July
August
November September
8%
WDVCS
• has
WDVCS
a dedicated
has a dedicated
police linepolice
operating
line operating
24 hours 724
days
hours
per7 December
week.
days perOctober
week.
10%
January
This line responded
This line responded
to 17,204to
calls
17,204
overcalls
the period
over
from
period
July from
2012July
to 2012
to
November
9% the
9%
February
9%
9%
une 2013.
June 2013.
7%
6%
December
7%
6%
March
April
January
May
February
June
• The average age of those that WDVCS assisted throughout the same
e average age of those that WDVCS assisted throughout the same
period
is 35placed
years of
age.
riod is 35 years
age.
• ofWDVCS
1595 women and children into emergency accommodation during
DVCS placed
1595
women
andperiod.
children
into emergency
• WDVCS
placed
1595 women
and children into emergency
the
same
commodation during the same period.
accommodation during the same period.
Age of women & children supported
6 - 8 years
0 - 2 years
9 - 11 years
3 - 5 years
12 - 14 years
6 - 8 years
15 - 17 years
9 - 11 years
18 - 20 years
12 - 14 years
21 - 25 years
15 - 17 years
26 - 35 years
18 - 20 years
36 - 45 years
21 - 25 years
46 - 55 years
26 - 35 years
56 - 65 years
66 - 85 years
> 85 years
Not Recorded
11
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Governance
Back row, left to right: Lyn Lanham; Jen Allen, Toni Campbell (Chair), Joan Richardson
Front row, left to right: Gayle King, Veronica McGowan, Christine Gibbs & Dorothy Carlborg. Absent: Wendy Steendam
Board Directors
Toni Campbell (Chair)
Jennifer Allen (Co-Deputy Chair)
Dorothy Carlborg (Co-Deputy Chair)
Christine Gibbs
Gayle King (Treasurer)
Lyn Lanham
Veronica McGowan
Joan Richardson
Wendy Steendam
“Media
Quote”
12
“It is about choosing the right
option that best suits the
woman and her children, and
ultimately the option that will
keep families safe.”
(Annette Gillespie, 21/07/2013
The Weekly Review)
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service is
Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation
Reform Act 2012 and is governed by a board of
directors who are responsible for the strategic
direction that will lead the organisation to
achieving its values and goals.
Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer,
the Board monitors the performance of WDVCS to
achieve our strategic goals within budget and to
build strong foundations that will secure long term
sustainability.
The Board’s primary role is to ensure that the
activities of WDVCS are directed towards achieving
its mission to be the voice for the prevention
and elimination of violence against women and
children in Victoria.
The Board will ensure that this mission is achieved
in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Collectively the Board Members of WDVCS bring
extensive experience and diverse skills to support
the Chief Executive Officer to implement the
strategic plan.
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Management & Staff
Annette Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, back row, second from left with members from the WDVCS team
“Media
Quote”
“As police crime
statistics rise, we
also experience a
surge in demand.
Every hour of
the day, we take
countless calls
from police,
hospitals, schools
and other support
services who need
our help for a
woman caught in
the vicious cycle of
domestic violence.”
(Annette Gillespie,
21/07/2013
The Weekly Review)
Staff and volunteers are the lifeblood of Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis
Service. They work tirelessly to ensure that women and children have
options for a safer future. As the organisation grows, so too does demand
for resources. In the past financial year, we have started a process of
hiring and training new Crisis Support Advocates to work across both the
24-hour Crisis Line and our safe house. There are also plans to introduce
a new marketing and fundraising role to strengthen our commitment to
the prevention of violence and to secure the future viability of domestic
violence services.
We are not alone in campaigning for a better life for women and
children. Generations of women before us have battled for equal rights
and opportunities. A new feature of WDVCS offices is a portrait gallery
of influential and inspirational women throughout history. Among the
portraits is Edith Cowan, who in 1920, was the first woman elected to an
Australian parliament. There’s also Kate Sheppard, who was instrumental
in New Zealand becoming the first country in the world to introduce
universal suffrage, allowing women to vote in 1893.
These courageous women remind us of the many fights that the women’s
movement has taken on, the tremendous progress made, societal shifts
and the challenges ahead. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still plenty of
work to do. Together, and with determination, we will improve the lives of
women and their children and help them achieve safety and reach their full
human potential.
13
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Summary Statement of Comprehensive Income
for year ended 30 June 2013
2013 ($) 2012 ($)
Donations Interest Received Office of Women Policy Other Revenue DHS Grants HEF DHS Accreditation
Other Grants Computer Grant 237,068 77,123 82,380 100,876 2,282,615 284,770 -
39,542 15,789 24,978
87,464
90,000
2,025,738
214,173
827
56,458
35,403
3,120,163 2,535,041
Client Direct Relief Depreciation Motor Vehicle Expenses Operating Costs Program Costs
Rent & Rates Expenses Salary On-Costs Salary & Wages Staff Development Expenses 352,956 38,836 12,544 173,809 21,686 77,577 256,639 1,675,447 12,853 214,173
30,050
16,032
166,876
32,961
66,981
197,997
1,535,270
9,368
2,622,347 2,269,708
Income
Expenditure
Operating Profit 497,816 265,333
Summary Balance Sheet as at June 2013
2013 ($) 2012 ($)
Current assets Non – current assets 1,854,341 120,538 1,725,323
81,179
Total Assets 1,974,879 1,806,502
Current Liabilities Non- current liabilities 248,873 93,594 608,400
63,506
Total Liabilities 342,467 671,906
1,632,412 1,134,596
Net Assets 14
Threatened to kill victim (7.4%)
Page 15 under the auditor statement
WDVCS
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Threatened to
harm ordangerous
kill children
(2.8%)
Perpetrators
behaviours
self-reported by clients
Independent
Audit Report
Access to weapons (3.6%)
Use of weapon in most recent event ( 1.8%)
Harmed or threatened
to harm family members (4.2%)
Harmed or threaten to harm animals (1.7%)
J L Collyer & Partners has
auditedorthe
Crisisvictim
Service
of Victoria’s financial position as at
Harmed
threatened to harm
(13.5%)
summarised financial report of Women’s Domestic 30 June 2013 and of its performance for the year
Violence Crisis Service of Victoria for the year
ended on this date in accordance with appropriate
Tried to choke victim (6%)
ended 30 June 2013. This comprises the Summary accounting policies.
of Comprehensive Income and the Summary
Threatened
to kill victim (7.4%)
Balance Sheet in compliance
with Australian
Auditing Standards.
Threatened to harm or kill Janet
children
(2.8%)
Collyer
In our opinion, the information reported gives a
true and fair view of Women’s Domestic Violence
J L COLLYER & Partners
Suicide threats or attempts (4%)
Stalking of Victim (5.3%)
Sexual assault
of victim
(3.2 %)
Harmed
or threatened
to harm family members (4.2%)
Harmed or threaten
to (3.1%)
harm animals (1.7%)
Breach of intervention
order
Behaviours
that
put(4%)Women
Suicide threats
or attempts
Drug and/or alcohol misuse or abuse (7.1%)
Stalking of Victim
and Children
at(5.3%)
risk
Obsession/jealous
behaviour
victim (8.6%)
Sexual assault
of victim towards
(3.2 %)
• Sexual assault of victim (3.2 %)
• Use of weapon in most recent event (1.8%)
Breach
of intervention order (3.1%)
• Breach of intervention order (3.1%)
• Access to weapons
(3.6%)
Controlling behaviours (11.6 %)
Drug
and/or alcohol misuse
• Harmed or threatened
to harm
victim (13.5%)
Drug and/or
alcohol
misuse or •
abuse
(7.1%)
or abuse (7.1%)
• Tried to choke victim (6%)
Obsession/jealous behaviour towards
victim (8.6%) behaviour
• Obsession/jealous
• Threatened to kill victim (7.4%)
towards victim (8.6%)
Unemployed (4%)
Depression/mental health issue (4.3%)
Controlling
behaviours
• Threatened to harm
or kill children
(2.8%)(11.6 %)• Controlling behaviours (11.6 %)
• Harmed or threatened
to harm(4%)
Unemployed
family members (4.2%)
• Unemployed (4%)
History of violent behaviour (not family
violence) (4.6%)
• Depression/mental health issue (4.3%)
Depression/mental
• Harmed or threaten
to harm animals health
(1.7%) issue (4.3%)
• History of violent behaviour
• Suicide threats or
attempts
(4%) behaviour (not
History
of violent
violence)
(4.6%)
family
(not family
violence)
(4.6%)
Assessed Level of Risk
• Stalking of Victim (5.3%)
Level
Assessed levelAssessed
of Risk
6%
31%
31%
of Risk
Requires immediate
Requires immediate
protection
protection
6%
37%
37%
Elevated
Elevated riskrisk
At Risk
At Risk
26%
26%
Not at risk
Not at risk
Not applicable
Not applicable
15
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The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS) is the Victorian state-wide
service for women experiencing violence and abuse from a partner, ex-partner,
Bold
another family member or someone close toCentury
you.Gothic
The
service is staffed by women
and you can call confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fonts used:
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For confidential support and information call:
Toll free 1800 015 188 or visit
www.wdvcs.org.au
If you are in immediate danger call Police on 000
You can help WDVCS
At WDVCS we are passionate about the services we provide.
If you would like to support our work, please consider:
• Making a donation
• Regular Giving
• Leaving us a gift in your will
• Hold a fundraising event
• Becoming a corporate sponsor
• Workplace Giving
• Donate your time or service
• Becoming a volunteer
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible
For further information on how to help WDVCS call our head office on the number below.
Womens Domestic Violence Crisis Service
ABN: 86 138 521 643
Head office: GPO Box 4396 Melbourne 3001
Office: (03) 9928 9600
Email: admin@wdvcs.org.au