GVCASA Services

Crisis Care

GVCASA provides a 24/7 crisis care response to anyone who has experienced a recent sexual assault, this can include a confidential call over the phone or face-to-face crisis care. A crisis call can be made during business hours by calling GVCASA. Alternatively, outside of these hours there is a state-wide 24/7 crisis line available. Please see the contact numbers on the right-hand-side of this page to access crisis care.

The GVCASA crisis care worker meets with the recent victim survivor at GV Health or the police station. The crisis care worker will provide support, advocacy and information on their legal and medical rights. Access to immediate support, advocacy and accurate information is crucial for the victim survivor’s long-term healing.

If you wish to report a sexual assault to police, please contact the Victoria Police on 03 5820 5777.

Whether you decide to report the sexual assault to police or not, GVCASA is available to support you.

Therapeautic Counselling

GVCASA has experienced and qualified Counsellor Advocates who provide counselling for victim survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. This service is available to all victim survivors regardless of their age, gender or the time that has elapsed since the assault.

Therapeutic counselling enables you to work through the impact of the sexual assault at your own pace and in an environment where your rights are respected. Counselling is also available for your non-offending family members, partners and friends, to assist them in understanding and dealing with their own feelings and to support you in your journey.

GVCASA does not provide services to perpetrators of sexual assault or abuse.

Education

GVCASA provides education programs within schools in which they aim to increase awareness of the impact of sexual assault and its causes. It also aims to increase resilience and confidence among children in the form of protective behaviour education.

The Bravehearts program is part of our service at GVCASA and is an example of protective behaviour education. This program delivers age appropriate, personal safety presentations from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

GVCASA is available to provide education and training to professional groups and organisations on a range of matters relating to sexual assault.

This can include:

• Providing an enhanced understanding of sexual assault
• The role of GVCASA in supporting victim survivors
• Sexual assault and the legal system
• Structural and social conditions that predispose communities to sexual assault and other violent crimes
• Strategies for the prevention of sexual assault
• Professional interventions
• Providing supportive responses to disclosures of sexual assault

Training packages have been developed to meet the range of needs of professional groups but can be tailored to meet your needs.

Information, referral, support and advocacy is provided to all clients and community members as required.

If you would like to organise an education session for your professional or community service please contact us at gvcasa@gvhealth.org.au