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Family Violence Counselling Service
The Connections Family Violence Counselling Service is available to women, young people and children who have experienced family violence.
People who can access the service
Women and children who live in the cities of Port Phillip, Stonnington and Glen Eira.
How does the Family Violence Counselling Service work
The Family Violence Counselling Service is a confidential, no cost service offering day and evening appointments with an experience counsellor.
A variety of group programs are also offered:
- Groups for women who have experienced family violence either in their past or current relationships (‘New Beginnings’);
- A peer support group for women who have experienced family violence (‘Funky Chicks’);
- Groups for children who have experienced or witnessed family violence;
- An expressive therapies-based attachment group for families with toddlers creating positive, fun play experiences for parents and children.
The Family Violence Counsellors also deliver training and community development initiatives to assist the awareness raising and education in the community about the issue of family violence.
How clients can benefit from the service
For many women and children, counselling and support can provide a vital and validating source of support in which to re-build a sense of self-esteem and confidence to live free from family violence.
How this service benefits the community
The Family Violence Counselling Service works together with other local community services, police and the courts to improve the safety of women and children, and to hold men who use family violence accountable for their actions.
Art Group
The Connections Art Group is a new group running from September until December 2009 for women who have previously attended the New Beginnings Group. It is intended to contribute to the wellbeing of women who have experienced or are experiencing violence and trauma, by providing them with the opportunity to:
- Participate in art groups with others who share a similar experience; providing them with an important sense of community and safety amongst those who understand.
- Learn creative skills; valuable for both the pleasure of learning and enjoying the creative process. There is the additional benefit of learning and mastering skills for women who may have not had many opportunities previously.
- Learn new ways for self expression, often compromised by the abuse.
- Enjoy socialisation, beauty and creativity as a way to reconstruct a better life, post-trauma.
The Art Project is a wonderful way to
- Creatively express,
- learn to use tools and new art making skills and other techniques,
- build skills in working co-operatively,
- practise asserting one’s opinion in a safe environment,
- learn to discuss and accept differences with others,
- have an enjoyable experience,
- make decisions,
- have the satisfaction of planning and completing something meaningful.