Family violence services relaunch under new name

TWO Geelong-based services for people experiencing sexual assault and family violence have announced they will be forming a single new organisation.

Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault (Barwon CASA) and Minerva Community Services will become The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre.

The name represents their work in the gender equality, primary prevention of violence and professional development space.

The organisation remains committed to offering specialist sexual assault and family violence services across the Barwon, Wimmera and Western Melbourne areas by taking steps to ensure that people impacted by sexual or family violence are able to start their journey toward recovery.

In Geelong, the new organisation remains a partner of the specialist Multidisciplinary Centre, co-located with Victoria Police Sexual Offences Child Investigation Team (SOCIT) and the Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection Unit.

“It is a bold name that is relevant and states our purpose clearly,” The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre chief executive officer Helen Bolton said.

“Through our consultation with clients, staff and stakeholders we heard that our organisation needs to be a leader and take a stand, to be easy to find when you need us.

“The name is backed by a promise statement ‘you are at the centre of all we do’ which explains the way we feel about our clients and staff as they are at the heart of what we do.”

The implementation of the new name will be introduced in stages in order to gradually introduce the brand to the wider community.

The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre is located in Spring Street, Geelong West. Phone 5222 4318.