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Projects and Activities

Weaving the Net

'Weaving the Net' is a series of consultative, educational and community development modules that aim to increase capacity in Aboriginal communities to respond to child abuse. A key outcome of the process is to develop a pool of accredited workers and community members who could facilitate community education and long-term community development programs.

'Weaving the Net' consists of a 2-day consultation process followed by training on child sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse and neglect of children and child protection in the context of family/domestic violence.

The community education module is offered with resources that support information sharing. This is followed by a community-building module to develop a community plan on child protection. ECAV is completing 'Weaving the Net', a child protection community education manual for Aboriginal communities. This manual supports the Aboriginal videos "Who's the Loser" and "Big Shame".

For further information, please contact us.

Aboriginal Family Health Project

ECAV is the provider of competency-based training for Aboriginal Family Health Workers and other Aboriginal Health Professionals around the issues of family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

We have also developed training for non-Aboriginal Health Professionals.

ECAV began the Aboriginal Family Health Project in 2000 as part of the NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy, launched in 1995.

The project represents ECAV's commitment to help meet the overall objective of the strategy, which is to

... reduce family violence and sexual assault in Aboriginal communities.

(NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy, NSW Health, 1995: 5)

Components

The Project consists of two courses:

• Certificate 1V Aboriginal Family Health (Family Violence, Sexual Assault & Child Protection) , and
• Competent responses for Aboriginal Family Health (family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child protection),

both underpinned by the guiding principles outlined in the Strategy, which are listed below:

“

• Solutions to family violence and sexual assault in aboriginal communities are Family Health Solutions
• The leadership for solutions to family violence and sexual assault in Aboriginal communities will be found within Aboriginal communities
• Solutions to family violence and sexual assault in Aboriginal communities are culturally and spiritually focused.
• Solutions to family violence and sexual assault in Aboriginal communities will be community devised, managed and implemented.
• The planning, management and implementation of community solutions will be based on representation from women as well as men.
• Victims have the right to seek help from the service of their choice for the protection, safety and wellbeing of themselves and their children.
• Perpetrators of violence are to accept responsibility for their violence, including criminal prosecution.
• Violence in the community is governed by criminal sanctions and victims of violence need to be informed of their rights before the law.
• The victim's wishes are to be taken into account when criminal prosecution is being considered.
• The ongoing safety of the adult or child who has experienced violence is the paramount consideration in any response.
• Education and follow up programs are priority strategies in the promotion of Aboriginal Family Health.”

(NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy, NSW Health, 1995: 5)

Besides the principles outlined in the NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy, NSW Health (1995), both courses rely on and are guided by other relevant NSW Health policies and strategies, including:

• 2000-2005 Strategic Directions for Health, NSW Health, October 2000
• Aboriginal Health Impact Statement Survival Guide, NSW Health, 2003
• NSW Aboriginal Health Strategic Plan, NSW Health, 1999
• Ensuring Progress in Aboriginal Health: A Policy for the NSW Health System. Developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal National Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, NSW Health, 1999
• Improving Aboriginal Family Health: Determining the need for training for Area Health Service Health Professionals, ECAV, April 2002

 

Certificate 1V Aboriginal Family Health (Family Violence, Sexual Assault & Child Protection)

Certificate 1V Aboriginal Family Health (Family Violence, Sexual Assault & Child Protection) was developed in partnership with The Centre for Aboriginal Health to support the positions of Aboriginal Family Health Professionals, which have been funded by The Centre for Aboriginal Health, NSW Health, through the NSW Aboriginal Family Health Strategy.

This nationally recognised VETAB accredited course provides Aboriginal Family Health Workers with specific knowledge and skills relevant for their community development role.

The six modules of the course explore:

• Ways in which power and control are used at an historic, political, social and personal level and implication of this for work in family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child protection in Aboriginal communities
• Theories behind work in family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child protection in Aboriginal communities
• The nature, extent and impact of child sexual assault and offender tactics on the child and other family members
• Ways of working with Aboriginal communities to address family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child protection
• Co-operative interagency approaches
• Community development strategies to address family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse
• Respectful approaches to individuals, families and communities affected by family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse

Workers who successfully complete the requirements of the assessments receive the qualification: Certificate IV Family/Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Aboriginal Family Health).

Course Entry requirements

Applicants for this course must be Aboriginal workers who work in the specialist areas of child protection, family/domestic violence and sexual assault.

For further information contact Catherine Clarke (02) 98403742 or Mareese Terare (02) 98403736.

 

Competent responses for Aboriginal Family Health (family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child protection)

The aim of the training is to work within the principles of the Aboriginal Family Health Strategy (outlined above) to:

• Join colleagues in addressing access and equity issues for Aboriginal clients
• Enhance Aboriginal peoples' participation in your service
• Redress the impact of family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse on the lives of Aboriginal people
• Find community solutions in relation to family/domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse
• Create opportunities to share knowledge and learn new ways of working.

The Target Group

The training has been developed for non-Aboriginal workers in the following services: PANOC, Sexual Assaults, Drug and Alcohol, Domestic Violence, Child and Family Health, Women's Health, Women's Health Coordinators, Midwifery, Mental Health and their interagency partners.

Course Entry Requirements

1. Participants will have worked for a minimum of 12 months fulltime over the past 5 years in an organisation whose primary aim is to provide sexual assault, family/violence (relates to intimate relationships) child abuse services,
   
   and
2. Completed a course with the Education Centre Against Violence or other relevant RTO that focuses on one of the core issues listed below:
   • child sexual assault,
   • adult sexual assault,
   • physical and emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people,
   • family/domestic violence (intimate relationship).

The Benefits to you

Professional:

• Gain a better understanding of the Aboriginal Family Health Strategy and other relevant NSW Health Policies and Strategies relating to fairer access and equity for Aboriginal peoples
• Understand better community solutions to Aboriginal Family Health Issues
• Learn strategies to improve client service to Aboriginal People
• Acquire skills-based training about services that enhance Aboriginal participation in service development and delivery
• Acquire skills-based training around effective communication processes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people

Personal:

• Gain a Statement of participation and attendance
• Potentially enhance career pathways.

For further information contact Catherine Clarke (02) 98403742 or Marlene Lauw (02) 98403736.