A new peak body for the family violence sector
Wednesday 17 November 2021
Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRCV) have united to form Safe and Equal, Victoria’s peak body for family and gender-based violence.
For more than three decades, Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) have been two key organisations in the establishment and coordination of the specialist family violence sector in Victoria.
In 2019, the Boards of both DV Vic and DVRCV identified the possibility of a merger to further strengthen our capacity to support systems reform and connect strengths and resources for greater impact.
After comprehensive consultation with staff, members and other stakeholders, the Boards and members of DV Vic and DVRCV voted to merge in March 2020, representing an exciting new chapter in the extensive histories of both organisations.
On 17 November 2021, we launched our new visionary name and brand with our Board, members, key stakeholders and partners. Combining over thirty years of experience in advocacy and innovation for change in the family violence sector, DV Vic and DVRCV are proud to unite as Safe and Equal, the peak body for specialist family violence services supporting victim survivors in Victoria.
“Following the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Victorian specialist family violence sector has been subject to major and ongoing reforms,” said Safe and Equal Chair Stacey Ong.
“It became clear that by bringing together the skills and expertise of both organisations, we could increase and strengthen our capacity to support specialist services through these changes and into the future.”
Safe and Equal will continue to work with practitioners and leaders to bring grassroots issues into the public arena, coordinate and participate in advocacy and action to reform policy and improve the service system, and scale up and embed practice development and innovation across the sector.
“The roles of DV Vic and DVRCV have always been highly complementary, with closely aligned visions, purpose and values, and frequent collaboration in advocacy and campaigning,” said Safe and Equal CEO Tania Farha.
“This merger provides the specialist family violence sector with a peak organisation that has more reach than ever before, across the continuum of prevention to recovery.”
The new name, Safe and Equal, was selected after extensive consultation and feedback from victim survivors. It is a bold statement in support of the organisation’s vision: a world beyond family and gender-based violence, where women, children and all people from marginalised communities are safe, thriving and respected.
Visit our new website at www.safeandequal.org.au.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following video may contain images of people who have died.
Page last updated Wednesday, November 17 2021