Safe at Home Workshops

Overview

Explaining new legislation to new arrivals to Australia can be a challenge. This project used workshops to explain Tasmania's family violence Safe at Home legislation. Organised by the Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc (MRC), uniformed police officers conduct the workshops giving participants the opportunity to speak with them directly.

What are the aims of the project?

The aims of the workshops are to educate newly arrived entrants and humanitarian entrants about the Safe at Home legislation. Police explain family violence and the impact the legislation has on perpetrators and victims. They focus on how the legislation supports victims to remain at home or return home as soon as possible. The role of Victim Safety Response Teams, specially trained police who provide specialised services to victims of family violence, is also explained. Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the police during the workshops.

What was involved?

Department of Immigration and Citizenship Settlement Grants Program funding was used to hold the workshops. MRC and Glenorchy City Council provided venues including an area for children to play whilst parents attended the workshop.

Four workshops were held over a one year period.

Who participated?

60 people so far have attended the workshops. Participants were from the Burundian, Sierra Leone, Sudanese, Congolese and Ethiopian communities.

What were the outcomes?

The workshops have proved successful in communicating important messages about Safe At Home legislation to newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants. Due to the positive response to the initial workshops, more workshops are planned so future new arrivals can access this important information.

Where can I get more information?

Further information on this project is available.

Reception
Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc.
Email: reception@mrchobart.org.au
Telephone: 03 6221 0999