Our Commitment

FAMILY VIOLENCE

At PRONIA we recognise that family violence in a gendered issues which is evident across the life span is a complex and serious community issue, embedded in all types of care relationships, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, religious beliefs and and socio economic status. Family Violence (and Elder Abuse) have immediate and long-term impacts on the physical, psychological and social health and wellbeing of those affected which includes adults and children.

PRONIA recognises that Family Violence includes violence towards people aged 65 and over. Family Violence involves abusive and violent behaviour towards a partner, former partner or family member that can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social or economic abuse. Family violence can involve coercive action, threats, humiliation, stalking and other behaviours or actions which are contravene human rights not only the person impacted but also towards other people in the household and others and actions that control, humiliate or scare the other person or people in the household and beyond.

In Australia, one woman dies each week because of family violence. In Australia 1 in 6 women have experienced violence by an intimate partner (AIHW 2018). In Victoria:

-the incidents of family violence is increasing by 5% from previous year to 88,214 incidents in 2019–20

-on average, police attend a family violence incident every 6 minutes

– Victim survivors experience higher rates of violence from a perpetrator after the relationship has ended

– Children are present in 30 per cent of family violence incidents attended by police

– Women are nearly three times more likely than men to experience violence by a current or former partner

– Aboriginal women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised by family violence than non-Aboriginal women

– Women with disability are almost 40 per cent more likely to experience family violence than other women

– Women with disability are twice as likely to experience violence from a partner as men with disability

– Temporary visa holders face barriers to accessing safety and support when they experience family violence in Australia, which have been intensified by COVID-19

– It is estimated that up to 14 per cent of older people may experience abuse

– Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children

As a community service we are in a unique position to identify people at risk, sensitively enquire if we can help, and make referrals to integrated family violence services if required. By respecting the decisions of the service users and offering a range of options, PRONIA professionals have a vital role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of health needs are met, inclusive of a patient’s safety. Such interventions have the potential to empower people affected by family violence, contribute to enhanced health outcomes and potentially save lives.

We will continue to prioritise support for our staff both professionally and personally in relation to family violence to ensure their wellbeing and safety through our workplace Employee Support Program.

In 2018 the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) was introduced in response to recommendation 1 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence (Victoria 2016). MARAM is the best practice framework for family violence risk assessment and management, based on current evidence and research. It aims to establish a system-wide shared understanding of family violence and collective responsibility for risk assessment and management. PRONIA operates under MARAM and as such has responsibilities to service users and staff.

Our vision is a future where our community is free from family violence and where healthy, respectful relationships between women and men are the norm. As a community service organisation we can make a significant contribution to achieving this vision and contribute to changing behaviours and community attitudes through system, organisational and clinical practices, as well as education and advocacy programs.

References:

1. Safe and Equal: https://safeandequal.org.au/understanding-family-violence/statistics/#

2. Victorian Government: https://www.cfecfw.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MARAM-Responsibilities-Guide.pdf

CHILD SAFETY

PRONIA as an organisation is committed to child safety.

The organisation wants children to be safe, happy and empowered. We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.

We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children.

We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures.

We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.

Our organisation is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.

Our organisation has robust human resources and recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers.

Our organisation is committed to regularly training and educating our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.

We support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.

We have specific policies, procedures and training in place that support our leadership team, staff and volunteers to achieve these commitments.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.