Tzedek joins SECASA

By Saihini Naidoo and Jessica Wooley

Tzedek is an organisation dedicated to the prevention and control of sexual abuse within the Jewish and broader community.  At the end of 2018, Tzedek became a program provided through SECASA.

Joining SECASA, saw Tzedek become the first Jewish not-for-profit to receive funding from a Government organisation.

“SECASA is pleased to have Tzedek as a program providing us with improved involvement with all parts of the Jewish communities, including the orthodox denominations” said Carolyn Worth, Manager at SECASA.

Tzedek Board President, Danny Schwarz, said that the transition would deliver “ongoing financial security and ensure the continuity of Tzedek programs in the Jewish community”.

The support, education and advocacy services provided by Tzedek will be under the management of SECASA, but will remain unchanged.

The organisation will also continue to be a support service for the Jewish community for the ‘National Redress Scheme’, which provides support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

“This won’t change our programs or the way they are delivered in the Jewish community” said Tzedek CEO, Michelle Meyer. “Tzedek will continue to operate from its current office location in Elsternwick where it is most accessible to those in need and retain its existing phone number and website”.

Dr Meyer confirmed that the transition will deliver access to a broader range of resources including education material, training opportunities and the potential for joint research initiatives between Tzedek and SECASA.

Tzedek will continue to operate its own advocacy service and maintain links to the Jewish community by way of a Tzedek Advisory Committee to SECASA.

School’s Program Success, but a work in progress

By Saihini Naidoo

SECASA’s Schools Program is designed to educate young people on important issues that relate to their bodies and their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Hayley and Elizabeth run this program and visit different Primary and Secondary Schools across the South Eastern region. This program raises greater awareness on subjects such as: protective behaviours, bodily autonomy, respectful relationships and online safety.

Specialist assessment

By Jessica Wooley

Specialist assessment is not counselling, as it is a more structural approach constrained by time. A specialist assessment will generally be used to assist Child Protection’s investigation.  Specialist assessment is a process to clarify allegations of concern around sexual abuse. CASAs conduct specialist assessments for children up to 17 years of age.

Duty team update

By Jessica Wooley

CASA duty teams are made up of especially trained and qualified sexual assault and family violence counsellors. Each CASA has their own duty worker who will answer crisis calls during business hours. After hours these calls are answered by the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) 1800 806 292. This service is provided free of cost.

Protective behaviour education

By Jessica Wooley

‘Protective behaviours’ is an education program aimed at children who receive counselling services from SECASA. It teaches them what it means to be safe and unsafe, in their own behaviour and the behaviour of others.

This education program provides an opportunity to understand boundaries. The definition of ‘safe’ is explored thoroughly, looking at safe places, safe people and warning signs that a person or activity is unsafe. Usually the child has been in an unsafe situation in the past which has led them to becoming a client at SECASA.

Community Health Nurses in MDCs

By Jessica Wooley

Community Health Nurses (CHNs) offer free and confidential health support to individuals who have experienced sexual assault, as well as their family members.

Sexual assault and family violence are linked to poor outcomes, such as poor mental and physical health. CHNs aim to minimise poor outcomes through education and support. They undertake an initial general health needs assessment of the client, providing health information, assisted referral and education for all health matters.

AWARE Program Highlights

Dandenong MDC
By Saihini Naidoo

SECASA’s AWARE Program provides assessment and treatment of sexually abusive behaviour (SAB) and problem sexual behaviour (PSB) in children and young people, whilst providing support to their parents and carers in the southern region of Melbourne, Victoria.