GenWest

One of GenWest’s longest-running programs, Sunrise, continues to have a significant positive impact on the lives of participants.

Margaret*’s marriage had ended after 30 years. She had multiple health issues and felt very alone.

In Margaret’s own words: “I had little self-esteem and the whole foundation of who I was as a person had crumbled. Who would accept me for who I was? Sunrise connected me to an accepting community and expanded my circle of friends. It supported me. It encouraged and empowered me to speak up for myself, return to study and apply for an advocacy role. I have been treated as an individual, not as an individual with a disability. I no longer feel that I am useless or alone. In regard to my health, being a participant in Sunrise has helped to improve my mental strength. It has helped me to develop resilience in dealing with my health ups and downs, and encouraged me not to neglect my health care and reengage with a GP. It has educated me on Disability Liaison Officers in hospitals. [It has] helped me to not focus on my symptoms so much, and realise I was still capable of things.”

Sunrise Social Groups are for women, gender diverse people and/or nonbinary folk, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/or mental health challenges.

The groups support participants to build friendships and a support network, access information about staying healthy and find out about local services, build confidence, and connect to their community.

The group’s activities are planned in collaboration with its members, through a series of planning and co-design sessions.

Last year, Sunrise had over 2,750 contact hours with participants and welcomed 20 new group members.

Find out more about the Sunrise program at genwest.org.au/what-we-do/health-wellbeing-programs/sunrise

*For safety reasons, names and identifying details have been changed.

ID in the comments.

Our new multilingual brochure and poster shares information in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Punjabi and Hindi about how to get help if someone is experiencing family violence.

Download the brochure and poster on our website: www.genwest.org.au/resources/get-help-flyer-poster

If you are an organisation or service based in Melbourne's west and would like some printed copies of these resources, email us at [email protected]

How to get help (multilingual brochure and poster) | Resources | GenWest | Gender Justice and Change Information in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Punjabi and Hindi about how to get help if you are experiencing family violence.

We've partnered with North Western Melbourne PHN and Berry Street to offer specialist family violence secondary consultations for local GPs.

Specialist family violence services play a crucial role in guiding and assisting professionals in their response to family violence, ultimately contributing to the safety and wellbeing of those patients affected.

Find out more: https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/fv-info-for-professionals/gp-secondary-consult-pilot/

North Western Melbourne PHN has commissioned GenWest and Berry Street to provide family violence secondary consultation to primary care providers in its catchment.

The service will help GPs and practice nurses who observe indicators of family violence in a patient, but require further information or advice.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3LlLksf

Happy NAIDOC Week!

NAIDOC Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud' celebrates the unyielding spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

"The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation." -

There are still lots of ways to engage with, support and celebrate NAIDOC this week (and beyond). Here are just a few:

Visit to read more about NAIDOC week, this year's theme and find events around the country.

Visit , and to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and stories.

Check out the Deadly Western Connections website to find out about local events in Melbourne West: deadlywesternconnections.com.au/events-and-programs

🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍

After attending children's counselling at GenWest for several months, A***n wrote The Puppy's Life about his experience of family violence.

A***n hopes that his story will help other children who are going through family violence, and show them that they are not alone.

If you are a counsellor, teacher or professional working with children, this story can help increase awareness and open up a conversation about family violence.

Read more about A***n's story:

A***n's Story: The Puppy's Life | News and Events | GenWest | Gender Justice and Change The story of ten-year-old A***n's experience of family violence

We recognise the power and value of sport in shifting and creating more inclusive communities. Sporting clubs can champion cultures that advance gender equality, contribute to healthier communities and help prevent gender-based violence.

Looking for ways to support gender equality and help prevent gender-based violence in your sports clubs and the wider community?

The Champions of the West zine has great information explaining gender equity and gender-based violence, some tools to promote gender equality in sports clubs and ways to recognise and respond to family violence. Learn more and download our Champions of the West poster and zine at genwest.org.au/cotw.

Book your club for training to promote gender equity in sport: genwest.org.au/book-training. We have two training modules available:
• Preventing Gender-Based Violence Through Sport - 1-hour training
• Leading Gender Equitable Sports Clubs - 2-hour training

Champions of the West: Improving equality and respect on and off the footy field | GenWest | Gender Justice and Change Champions of the West is a partnership that collaborates to promote safe, respectful and inclusive cultures in footy clubs in the west by harnessing the power of footy communities to prevent gender-based violence.

Empower your workplace with our comprehensive training on promoting Gender Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces.

This program is tailored to equip workplaces with the tools and insights needed to cultivate an environment that celebrates diversity, ensures equal opportunities, and champions gender equality.

Learn practical strategies to foster inclusivity, tackle unconscious bias, and consider policies that support gender equity.

To find out more head to https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/training-consultancy/training/gender-equitable-and-inclusive-workplaces. Please fill in the form on the training page to request this training. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Gender Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces | Book training | Training & consultancy | What we do Empower your workplace with our comprehensive training on promoting Gender Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces. This program is tailored to equip workplaces with the tools and insights needed to cultivate an environment that celebrates diversity, ensures equal opportunities, and champions gender equa...

Wennie van Riet, Project Lead ‑ Mental Health & Wellbeing at GenWest, was invited to speak at the Australasian Women in Emergencies Network last week.

Wennie spoke about GenWest's Our Community, Our Voice project, the experiences of women in the Maribyrnong community impacted by floods and why disaster recovery, management and long-term preparation need to be localised, gendered and intersectional.

If you want to learn more, watch the recorded webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW6kJqJMq6Y&t=2305s

Download and read Our Community, Our Voice report: https://genwest.org.au/resources/our-community-our-voice/

Our Community, Our Voice: Migrant and refugees women’s experiences of urban flood The Our Community, Our Voice report (https://genwest.org.au/news-and-events/ourcommunity-ourvoice/) tells the stories of women and their families in Maribyrn...

GenWest’s Our Community, Our Voice report tells the stories of women and their families in Maribyrnong who experienced flooding and outlines their experiences of the disaster response in 2022, as well as their attempts to recover and rebuild their lives in the aftermath.

The report is based on interviews with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds impacted by the flooding and makes recommendations to improve disaster responses in the future.

We are hugely grateful to the ten women who generously and courageously shared their stories with us, to help improve the lives of others in future.

In each chapter, we complement local community stories with evidence from research literature to show patterns and trends in people's experiences of disaster, and how they can be addressed.

The stories in this report show the profound need for disaster recovery, management and long-term preparation to be localised, gendered and intersectional.

The report is available in English and Vietnamese from our website: https://genwest.org.au/resources/our-community-our-voice/

Our Specialist Family Violence Practitioners visit family violence victim survivors where and when they need it, allowing them to respond to the urgent needs of people who have often left their homes with nothing.

Many are staying in hotel rooms or short-term accommodation with their children and need money or vouchers, medical and emotional support and basic necessities.

Cecilia said: “My case manager was very empathetic in listening to my story and making me believe that this is not the end. I can start my life again and can live happily. I am in a refuge right now, a little relieved. I know I still have to do a lot, but my case manager has laid a stepping stone in my life, or I can say she has given me another life.”

Read more stories from GenWest in our 2022-23 Annual Report at www.genwest.org.au

*For safety reasons, names and identifying details have been changed.

We’re excited to launch a range of new training modules.

Our team of experienced practitioners provide evidence-based training programs, advisory and consulting services to support your organisations create safe and inclusive spaces.

Further your knowledge in preventing violence against women, recognising and responding to family violence and supporting organisations to promote equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Book training for your team or organisation:

• Gender Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces
• Leading a Gender Equitable and Inclusive Workforce
• Undertaking a Gender Impact Assessment
• Identifying Family Violence: 3Rs - Recognise, Respond, Refer
• Preventing Gender-Based Violence Through Sport
• Leading Gender Equitable Sports Clubs
• Equitable Climate Disaster Management – Urban Environments

If you’d like us to tailor our training to your organisational needs, or combine training into an individualised training suite, we can help!

Find out more: https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/training-consultancy/

Book training | GenWest | Gender Justice and Change Further your knowledge in preventing violence against women, recognising and responding to family violence and supporting organisations to promote equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Our Multilingual Health Education team participated in a comprehensive 3-day training program on WHIN - Women's Health in the North's successful 'Let's Talk Money' model. This peer education approach equipped our Health Educators to deliver financial literacy workshops tailored to the needs of women and gender-diverse people in their communities and region. Thank you WHIN for this fantastic training!

Find out about WHIN's Let's Talk Money program: https://www.whin.org.au/what-we-do/gender-equity-health-and-wellbeing/lets-talk-money/

In partnership with Tenants Victoria, we recently ran a training session for local community in Melbourne's west at the Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services in Sunshine. The session was about renters rights, recognising the intersection of financial insecurity and family violence. A special thanks to Aguer and Agata from Tenants Victoria for taking time to arrange and present the session and sharing valuable insights with the community about their tenancy rights.

Pictured below from left to right: Nilaufer and Deepmala from GenWest Agata and Aguer from Tenants Victoria.

Have you heard about our Consent, Empowerment & Respect resources? You can download the zine, poster and postcard from our website.

With these resources we are encouraging people to be actively involved in their s*xual and reproductive health by being informed, making their own choices and taking ownership of their body, health and wellbeing.

The zine, A–Z of Consent, Empowerment & Respect, shares information about safer s*x, consent, body hair, respectful relationships, identity, contraception, pleasure and so much more.

You can also download Consent, Empowerment and Respect resources at bit.ly/CEandR.

If you’d like more information about your options, or you're looking for support, get in touch with the amazing folks at 1800 My Options and 1800RESPECT

Artwork by



[Image description: Green background with text that reads: "Want to learn more about s*xual and reproductive health? Download this resource at genwest.org.au." Image of front cover and page 4 and 5 of the zine.]

SBS Radio came to speak to Maribyrnong residents impacted by the 2022 floods. They spoke with two community members and GenWest staff who work with the community on our flood resilience and recovery program, Our Community Our Voice. Find out more about the program: genwest.org.au/ocov

"Những gia đình Việt Nam ở Maribyrnong bị ảnh hưởng bởi lũ lụt năm 2022 đang phục hồi và tái thiết một cách kiên cường. Nhiều chương trình cộng đồng, trong đó có GenWest nhấn mạnh tính gắn kết và tinh thần cộng đồng là sức mạnh để các gia đình vượt qua thiên tai."

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/vietnamese/vi/podcast-episode/flood/m7kx9lct4

Các gia đình Việt ở Maribyrnong gắn kết để tái thiết sau trận lụt năm 2022 Những gia đình Việt Nam ở Maribyrnong bị ảnh hưởng bởi lũ lụt năm 2022 đang phục hồi và tái thiết một cách kiên cường. Nhiều chương trình cộng đồng, trong đó có GenWest nhấn mạnh tính gắn kết và tinh thần cộng đồng là sức mạnh ....

Donations mean that we can support more people in the community who are experiencing family violence. Donations also enable us to deliver a range of programs to promote positive health, prevent violence before it occurs and increase gender equity.

Make an EOFY donation to GenWest and help us to support communities in Melbourne’s west to live safe and healthy lives, free from family violence.

All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Visit www.genwest.org.au/donate to read about how donations support our work.

[ID: Pink background with green text: "Help us support communities in Melbourne’s west to live safe and healthy lives. donate now. genwest.org.au/donate.' Illustration of two hands holding a map of the 7 local government areas in Melbourne's west.]

We are seeking a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner to join our growing team of skilled professionals at The Orange Door, Werribee.

The role will be responsible for undertaking family violence risk assessments, safety planning and providing referral pathways using a client-centred approach.

We work within a feminist framework, supporting people in Melbourne's west to live safe and healthy lives. Join us as we work towards gender justice and change.

If you believe you would be a good match for this position, we strongly encourage you to submit an application!

Go to the ‘Work With Us’ page on our website (link in bio) for more information and to apply. We have also included some tips to help you with your application.

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - a day to highlight the mistreatment of older people, which is caused by ageism and inequality.

Elder abuse is anything that causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust. Elder abuse is a form of family violence.

Most elder abuse occurs within a family but the abuser can also be a trusted person outside of the family, including a partner, friend, carer, or other relative. The abuse is often hidden.

Elder abuse can take many different forms. The most common forms of elder abuse are financial abuse and neglect. Other forms of elder abuse are physical, emotional, s*xual and social abuse.

Everyone deserves to be safe, respected and age with dignity. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse or family violence, help is available.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 for police and ambulance help.

Find out more about elder abuse: elderabuseawarenessday.org.au

For resources and support:
• Senior Rights Victoria | 1300 368 821 | seniorsrights.org.au
• Safe Steps | 1800 015 188 | safesteps.org.au
• GenWest | 1800 436 937 | genwest.org.au

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, COTA Victoria



[ID: Dark blue banner at the top with pink text: 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day'. Lilac background with white text: 'Everyone deserves to be safe, respected and age with dignity.']

ਪਰਿਵਾਰਕ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਉਦੋਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਜੀਵਨਸਾਥੀ ਜਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਕ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੰਟਰੋਲ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਕ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਕਤ, ਮਹਿਫੂਜ਼ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਜੀਵਨ ਜਿਊਣ ਦਾ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ ਹੈ।

ਮੱਦਦ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ।

ਮੱਦਦ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਨੀ ਹੈ:

ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਫੌਰੀ ਖ਼ਤਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਅਤੇ ਐਂਬੂਲੈਂਸ ਮੱਦਦ ਲਈ 000 'ਤੇ ਫ਼ੋਨ ਕਰੋ।

ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦੁਭਾਸ਼ੀਏ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ Telephone Interpreter Service (ਟੈਲੀਫ਼ੋਨ ਦੁਭਾਸ਼ੀਏ ਸੇਵਾ) ਨੂੰ 131 450 'ਤੇ ਫ਼ੋਨ ਕਰੋ।

ਮੈਲਬੌਰਨ ਦੇ ਪੱਛਮੀ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ Orange Door ਦੀਆਂ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ:
• Brimbank Melton | 1800 271 046 | [email protected]
• Western Melbourne | 1800 271 045 | [email protected]
Orange Door वेबसाइट पर जाएँ: orangedoor.vic.gov.au

आपकी भाषा में GenWest के बारे में और अधिक जानकारी: genwest.org.au/translations

यदि कोई जीवनसाथी या परिवार का सदस्य आपको चोट पहुंचाता है या आप जो करते/ती हैं, उसे नियंत्रित करने की कोशिश करता/ती है, तो यह पारिवारिक हिंसा होती है।

आपके और आपके बच्चों के पास पारिवारिक हिंसा से मुक्त और सुरक्षित जीवन जीने का अधिकार है।

आपकी भाषा में सहायता उपलब्ध है।

सहायता कैसे प्राप्त करें:

यदि आपको तत्काल खतरा है, तो पुलिस और एम्बुलेंस सहायता के लिए 000 पर कॉल करें।

यदि आप अपनी भाषा में बात करना चाहते/ती हैं, तो Telephone Interpreter Service (टेलीफोन दुभाषिया सेवा) को 131 450 पर कॉल करें।

Melbourne के पश्चिम में Orange Door सेवाएँ:
• Brimbank Melton | 1800 271 046 | [email protected]
• Western Melbourne | 1800 271 045 | [email protected]
Orange Door वेबसाइट पर जाएँ: orangedoor.vic.gov.au

आपकी भाषा में GenWest के बारे में और अधिक जानकारी: genwest.org.au/translations

For Men’s Mental Health Week, we're highlighting a new report by the Preventing Violence Together partnership – Working Dads: Towards Equal Caregiving.

The report shares the experiences of 155 working dads in Melbourne’s west and sheds light on the challenges and aspirations of dads in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. The report discusses the importance of workplaces supporting men as caregivers.

When fathers take an equal share of parental leave, it leads to better mental health outcomes for families.

When dads share parental leave equally, it helps their partners stay connected to their jobs and promotes equal caregiving at home. Recognising fathers as caregivers and shifting workplace cultures to value both parents as equal caregivers can significantly increase women's access to paid work. This leads to more women in the workforce, reduced gender pay gaps, and better financial security for women.

The Working Dads: Towards Equal Caregiving report offers 18 actions for workplaces to address gendered issues in workplace cultures and bridge the gap between policy and practice.

Find out more and download the report at https://lnkd.in/guFH79z4

العنف الأسري هو عندما يؤذيك شريك أو أحد أفراد الأسرة أو يحاول السيطرة على ما تفعله.

يحق لك ولأطفالك عيش حياة آمنة وخالية من العنف الأسري.

المساعدة متاحة بلغتك.

كيف أحصل على المساعدة:

إذا كنت في خطر محدق، اتصل بـ 000 للحصول على مساعدة الشرطة والإسعاف.

إذا كنت بحاجة إلى مترجم شفهي، فاتصل بخدمة Telephone Interpreter Service (الترجمة الشفهية الهاتفية) على الرقم 131450.

خدمات Orange Door في غرب ملبورن:
Brimbank Melton | 1800 271 046 | [email protected]
Western Melbourne | 1800 271 045 | [email protected]

قم بزيارة موقع Orange Door الإلكتروني عبر: orangedoor.vic.gov.au

للحصول على المزيد من المعلومات حول GenWest بلغتك: genwest.org.au/translations

The Victorian Women's Health Services Network (WHSN) expresses deep concern and despair over the Federal Government's decision to not continue crucial grant funding for WDV for the Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program. This will have a devastating impact on the vital work WDV does to support and advocate for women and non-binary people with disabilities in Victoria.

WDV’s work addresses eliminating violence, promoting economic empowerment, supporting NDIS changes, and implementing recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission.

The loss of funding will prevent essential programs and initiatives, including visibility, advocacy, partnerships, and employment opportunities for women with disabilities.

We urge the Federal Government to reconsider this funding decision. Immediate action is needed to support women and non-binary people with disabilities in Victoria.

Read the full statement on the WHSN website here: https://www.whsn.org.au/blog/wdv-funding-cut



Amanda Rishworth MP Bill Shorten Women with Disabilities

Let's Reconnect: Gardening Working Bee to support flood-affected families in Maribyrnong.

Calling gardening enthusiasts - no experience required! We will work together to restore the backyard of three families affected by the 2022 Maribyrnong floods.

We are looking for people to join our final gardening session in Maribyrnong on 23 June. The session will include a gardening education workshop with My Smart Garden and a shared lunch.

This is a family fun event, with children working with our dedicated kids’ facilitators to create gardening artwork throughout the Working Bee.

Read more and register for the event via Eventbrite:
https://bit.ly/GW-Bee

For any questions please email Thuy at [email protected].

Let’s Reconnect: Gardening Working Bee Calling all gardening enthusiasts - we'll work together to restore a families’ backyard that was affected by the 2022 Maribyrnong floods.

Bạo lực gia đình là khi một người bạn đời hoặc thành viên gia đình làm tổn thương bạn hoặc cố gắng kiểm soát những gì bạn làm.

Bạn và con bạn có quyền được sống một cuộc sống an toàn và yên ổn, không bị bạo lực gia đình. Trợ giúp có sẵn bằng ngôn ngữ của bạn.

Cách tìm kiếm sự giúp đỡ:

Nếu bạn đang bị nguy hiểm tức thời, hãy gọi 000 để được cảnh sát và xe cứu thương trợ giúp.

Nếu bạn cần thông dịch viên, hãy gọi cho Telephone Interpreter Service (Dịch vụ Thông dịch qua Điện thoại) qua số 131 450.

Các dịch vụ của Orange Door ở Tây Melbourne:
Brimbank Melton | 1800 271 046 | [email protected]
Western Melbourne | 1800 271 045 | [email protected]
Truy cập trang mạng của Orange Door: orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Thông tin thêm về GenWest bằng ngôn ngữ của bạn: genwest.org.au/translations

We've had an excellent turnout for our first two gardening working bees.

Last Saturday we had 35 people, of all ages and a range of backgrounds, join us to restore and revive the backyard of a family affected by the 2022 Maribyrnong floods.

It was a true community event with everyone getting involved. Two women told us they had never used a drill and were extremely happy that they learned a new skill.

We still have spots at our third and final gardening session in Maribyrnong on 23 June.

Find out more: https://genwest.org.au/news-and-events/gardening-working-bee/

Gardening working bee to support flood affected families in Maribyrnong GenWest provides family violence support services and gender equity programs in Melbourne's west.

GenWest provides family violence support services, case management, and services that promote healing and recovery. We support people in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

If you are ever in immediate danger, call 000 for police or ambulance help.

If you need to speak to someone outside business hours, contact Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.

If you are experiencing family violence, we can support you to be safe and to recover from what’s happened. We can also help your children.

We offer appointment-based family violence services. Referrals for our family violence support service are received via the Orange Door. If you want to refer yourself or someone else to our family violence support services, visit the Orange Door website at www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au or call 1800 271 046 (Brimbank Melton) or 1800 271 045 (Western Melbourne).

To find out more about family violence and how to get help for yourself or a friend visit www.genwest.org.au/fvhelp