Family violence services are preparing to open a new facility in Ballarat next year to help victims of family violence more easily access support.
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The first round of recruitment for staff to support women, children and families at the Central Highlands Orange Door is underway, with professional jobs advertised this week.
A site for the Orange Door was recently secured in the Ballarat CBD and three full time practice leaders are now being recruited by the three services to be based there.
Berry Street, Child and Family Services Ballarat and Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative are seeking an Advanced Family Violence Practice Leader, Integrated Practice Leader and Aboriginal Practice Leader to work at the new site.
The Orange Door will provide a single point for a range of services including family violence, child protection, legal, financial and other services, allowing intervention before victims reach crisis point.
This new hub in Ballarat will play a valuable role in keeping people safe.
- Michaela Settle, Buninyong MP
The model is designed to make it easier for people to seek help earlier, with clearly visible locations close to public transport.
Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee chair Libby Jewson said the message was there was no 'wrong door'.
"No matter where victims go there will be a consistent safe response. It is about a co-ordinated response from all the key agencies," she said.
The Victorian Government has provided $2.61 million funding in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 to Central Highlands partner agencies to support staff recruitment and transition to the Orange Door in its first five months.
Seventeen Orange Doors are being built across Victoria. Five are already operating in Frankston, Geelong, Mildura, Heidelberg and Morwell.
The Ballarat hub is expected to open in the first half of 2020.
Buninyong MP Michaela Settle said more than 60,000 Victorians, including 20,000 children have been kept safe from family violence through existing Orange Doors.
"This new hub in Ballarat will play a valuable role in keeping people safe," she said.
The Orange Door is a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
More than half of the royal commission's 227 recommendations have already been met, while work on others is underway.
To find out more about the roles visit Berry Street www.berrystreet.org.au, Child and Family Services Ballarat www.cafs.org.au and Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative www.bdac.com.au.
Visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au/ for information about family violence services in Ballarat.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
