If you are a Family Violence (FV) specialist or Child & Family Services worker and a client discloses that they have been sexually assaulted –
- you may be able to manage these in the context of your role
- you may need to access additional resources on sexual assault
- you many wish to have secondary consults with an sexual assault specialist
- you may need to refer your client to an sexual assault specialist service
For information and resources about sexual assault, visit the website of Sexual Assault Services Victoria, formerly CASA Forum, and now the newly incorporated and expanded peak body for sexual assault services and harmful sexual behaviour services.
Other general information on sexual assault:
Our Watch is calling on Australia’s businesses to lead the change and stop sexual harassment at work. Everyone deserves to be safe, supported and respected at work. This means that sexual harassment, disrespect, and discrimination have no place. When you lead the change, you foster innovation and growth in your business. By creating a culture of safety and respect, you help protect your staff, your brand, and the wider community.
Positive Duty laws are in effect, which means employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, rather than only responding after it occurs. Learn how to get started here
Prevent workplace sexual harassment factsheet
Actions People and Culture can take to end sexual harassment at work
Actions leaders can take to end sexual harassment at work
Actions managers can take to end sexual harassment at work
Link between sexual harassment and gender inequality factsheet
If you need advice or support for your client you can access secondary consultations through:
- SECASA free secondary consultation service for industry professionals who are looking for input and to discuss a situation or incident they are dealing with that is related to sexual assault and/or family violence that may be related to a patient or one of their clients.
Various sexual assault support services are available in Bayside Peninsula and across Victoria that you can refer a client to:
- SECASA South Eastern CASA provides a free counselling and support service to people who have experienced sexual assault either recently or in the past. The service is also available to non-offending family and friends.
- The Royal Women’s Hospital provides a 24 hour, seven day a week service to victim/survivors of sexual assault. They offer counselling, support and advocacy for adult female and male victim/survivors of both childhood and adult sexual assault.
A Guide for Young Women – Information and support if you or a friend have been sexually assaulted A booklet developed by Northern CASA for young women who have been sexually assaulted.
Multilingual resources about sexual assault Factsheets compiled by Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
Building partnerships between mental health, family violence and sexual assault services A project report by the Victorian Government
Sexual Violence and Offering Support –General information about how to support someone who has experienced sexual violence. (1800 Respect)
Challenging misconceptions about sexual offending Fact sheet produced on behalf of Victoria Police to address some of the common myths and misconceptions about sexual offending. (Australian Institute of Family Studies)
It All Adds Up This digital video campaign is asking men to reflect on their behaviour, so that women and girls can access public spaces freely without fear.