Family Breakdown and Mortgage Stress

There are increasing reports of households approaching NGOs because of problems keeping up with their mortgage. Many people in this situation do not know what they can do or where they can go for legal or financial help.
Two new brochures provide helpful information for people who are in trouble with their mortgage, from those who are in the process of being evicted from their homes to those who are just experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage payments. They explain what you can do about your situation, and provide information about where you can get help.
Problems paying your mortgage? Things you can do. (Information on where you can get legal and financial help).
They are trying to take my home. (Answers common questions about home repossession and what you can do).
You can either download the brochures or order printed copies (publications@legalaid.nsw.gov.au; T 9219 5028).
The brochures are part of an information kit. To get a copy of the full kit, or to find out where to get help, phone LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.
The brochures are produced by Legal Aid NSW, the Consumer Credit Legal Centre and LawAccess NSW.
Please circulate to your networks.

A Nice Set of Wheels!

http://www.ncdsv.org/publications_wheel.html

The link above takes the net surfer to a site which contains variations on the power and control wheel, including wheels for non-violence, Lesbian/Gay relationships, community accountability, children coping with family violence and abuse in later life.

An excellent resource for anyone interested.

Regards

Ruth

RSPCA launches 'ultra-violent' advertising campaign

The following article has a link to You Tube and the new RSPCA television advertisement which, while being very graphic, explains the link between childhood cruelty to animals and domestic violence perpetrators in later life.

The RSPCA now runs courses to show children respect for animals.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23546019-2,00.html

Updated program

North Coast Area Health Service
Domestic Violence Forum
Friday, 6 June 2008

Programme

9:00-9:45: Registration and morning tea
9:45-9:50 Welcome, Moderator Jan Strom
9:50-10:00 Welcome to Country TBA

10:00-11:00 Growing up with Fear - the developmental implications of exposure to trauma
Dr Louise Newman
Professor Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry,
Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle

11-11:40: Aboriginal women will tell you even less
Pam Greer, Aboriginal Consultant & Trainer on Aboriginal issues & brokerage for Aboriginal communities

11:40-12:20 'I cant do it anymore, I cant do this life'. Women, Domestic Violence and
Depression.
Cherie Toivonen
Senior Research AssociateSocial Work & Policy Studies Faculty of Education
and Social Work, University of Sydney

12:30-1:30 LUNCH

1.30-2.15pm “A life lived in fear is a life half lived” - How to use the legal
system to create the foundation for growth
Heather McKinnon
Family Law Solicitor
Practice Group Leader – Coffs Harbour

2:15-2:45 DV Helpline
Kylie Gilbert
Manager DV Help Line, Department of Community Services

3pm - 4pm Coordination of DV sector over the North Coast, Where to from here…
group discussion
with the loss of VAW positions, how will the north coast DV sector coordinate
prevention, early intervention strategies and improve service
responses for women who are experiencing, or have previously
experienced, domestic violence.
Explore opportunities for increased collaboration across sectors

4:00-4:30pm Wrap up and close of forum


Speaker Profiles

Professor Louise Newman
Louise Newman is Professor of Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry, Faculty of Health at the University of Newcastle. Her area of expertise is infancy and early childhood development. Professor Newman has provided consultation to the Family Court of Australia and the Children’s Court on child protection matters and has been a very strong advocate for the human rights of asylum seekers and particularly for children affected by the policy of mandatory detention.
Her research interests include undertaking research into the prevention of child maltreatment and interventions for parents who have experienced early abuse. Dr Newman’s current academic work is looking at early attachment relationships in infants up to three years of age and the importance of supporting parents with histories of trauma. She is involved in the development of services for high-risk infants and parents and directs an infant-parent psychotherapy programme for women at risk of child abuse.
Prior to studying medicine, Dr Newman completed undergraduate degrees in Psychology, Philosophy and Gender Studies and she has a longstanding commitment to the promotion of women’s mental health.

Pam Greer
Pam Greer has been a community worker, trainer and consultant since 1988, working in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. She has worked with several government departments including the Departments of Community Services, Police, Health and the Family Court on various projects for the Aboriginal community. Pam has been involved in child protection and domestic violence issues since 1989. She is a member of the Indigenous Women’s Committee through the Women’s Legal Centre.

Cherie Toivonen
Cherie Toivonen has worked both at the University of Sydney in the field of social research, as well as with various communities as a community development worker for the past 7 years. She has worked with migrant and refugee communities, women experiencing domestic violence, economically disadvantaged communities, and homeless persons. Cherie is currently the Senior Research Officer for the Towards Better Practice: Enhancing Collaboration between women’s domestic violence services and mental health services project, at the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney.

Heather McKinnon
Heather has been a legal practioner in Coffs Harbour for 25 years; she is an arbitrator under the Family Law Act and a credited family law specialist. Heather has been recently appointed as a practice group leader with Slater & Gordon, the first publicly listed law firm in the world. She has a keen interest in practice management and the education of lawyers.

Kylie Gilbert
Employed with DoCS for the past 6 years. Initially began as a child protection caseworker.Then became a Team Leader at DoCS Helpline for two years. Have been in my current position as Manager of DoCS DV Line since October 06 (however I am also responsible for 6 child protection teams at DoCS Child Protection Helpline in addition to DV Line)

Previous to DoCS, I was employed for several years at a non government organisation working with mothers and their children who had experienced Domestic Violence. This role included providing case management, advocacy and supported accommodation via refuge and medium term options for women and their children escaping DV.

Presentation will include:

• What is the Domestic Violence Line?
  How can the Domestic Violence Line support clients?
  General Statistics on Domestic Violence
  Who contacts the Domestic Violence Line?
  How do we help Victims?
  How do we assist professional agencies?
  Domestic Violence Line Assessment Procedures
  Refuge Referral Procedures
  Procedures for women in rural and remote communities
  Interagency Guidelines
  Interagency projects
  Ordering brochures
  
  
  Information for Attendees
  Date: Please note that the date of the Forum, 6 June 2008, is the Friday of the June long weekend. All efforts will be made to stick to the schedule to allow those traveling to leave before the ‘rush’.
  
  Accommodation: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort is offering the following deals for delegates wishing to stay over night for the forum
  Studio Hotel Room @$140 per room per night
  Paradise Spa Bure @$186 per bure per night
  Two Bed Spa Villa @$260 per villa per night
  All rates are based on room only.
  Should delegates wish to stay overnight, please contact the reservations team on 1800 226 852 and you will be entitled to the discounted rates.
  Further information on accommodation can be found at www.aanuka.com.au
  Please book accommodation early to avoid disappointment by contacting the reservations team directly.
  Directions: please see the following web sites for map locations for Aanuka Beach Resort. http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=11+fireman+Drive&ie=UTF8&near=Coffs+Harbour+NSW&ll=-30.2723,153.1389&spn=0.008784,0.01296&z=16
  http://www.breakfreeaanukabeachresort.com.au/about-the-area/
  
  
  
  
  
  North Coast Area Health Service
  Domestic Violence Forum
  Friday, 6 June 2008
  Registration Form
  
  
  First name
  
  Surname
  
  Email Address
  
  Occupation
  
  Job Title
  
  Work Place Address
  
  
  Phone
  
  Mobile
  
  I agree to have my details added to the list for distribution to all attendees
  □ Yes
  □ No
  This is a free forum for workers in the area of domestic violence on the north coast
  Registrations Close 19 May 2008
  Please contact Leonie Short for further information if required on PH: 65882959
  Please return this form by FAX or e-mail to:Leonie Short, Women’s Health & DV Coordinator
  North Coast Area Health Service 6588-2880 (FAX) or Leonie.Short@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au Your registration will be confirmed when a completed form is received
  AHS Staff will also need to complete AHS course attendance form
  with management approval

North Coast Area Health Service Domestic Violence Forum

HAS SHE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING?

A one day forum for anyone working with victims of
Domestic Violence.

Friday 6 June 2008
Aanuka Beach Resort
Coffs Harbour

Speakers include:
Prof. Louise Newman, University of Newcastle
Pam Greer, Aboriginal Consultant &Trainer
Cherie Toivonen, University of Sydney
Heather McKinnon, Family Law Solicitor
Kylie Gilbert, DoCS DV Help Line

For further information, please contact Leonie Short on 6588-2959 or
Leonie.Short@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Proudly presented by North Coast Area Health Service.