Hub to support Family Violence and Sexual Violence workforces launched

A resource hub for the community services workforce supporting victim survivors of family violence and sexual violence was launched today by Minister Vicki Ward, MP, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence.

The Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge Hub (The FVSV Hub) is a collaboration between the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, No to Violence, Safe and Equal, and Sexual Assault Services Victoria and funded by the Commonwealth Government through the National Partnership Agreement and by the Victorian Government.

The FVSV Hub provides a one-stop shop for practitioners, program managers, policymakers, and funders to access the latest research, resources, case studies, webinars, and training opportunities—all designed to strengthen practice responses and improve outcomes for victim-survivors, their families, and the community.

The FVSV Hub was officially opened during the Family Violence Sexual Violence Seminar today, marking the start of the annual Outcomes, Practice, and Evidence Network (OPEN) Symposium, which runs from Wednesday, 23 October until Friday, 25 October.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward said: “Victoria’s nation-leading work to prevent and respond to family violence and violence against women is based on solid evidence that is always evolving.

“This practice-led evidence will be incredibly valuable as we strive for better outcomes for victim survivors and holding those who use violence to account and change their behaviour.”

Centre for Excellence CEO Deb Tsorbaris said: “This initiative brings together multidisciplinary workforces to benefit from each other’s evidence, knowledge and practices.

“It has been an amazing collaborative project which has highlighted the interconnected nature of our work across the four sectors and the value of sharing our expertise to support better what are very often common clients,” she said.

“The project provides an excellent model for other sectors and jurisdictions wanting to bring together multidisciplinary workforces to benefit from each other’s evidence, knowledge and practices.”

Ms Tsorbaris said family violence and sexual violence were pervasive, and the extent of their effect on children, young people, adults and families was genuinely concerning.

“Over time, informed by growing evidence, partnerships, and community-focused initiatives, we are starting to make meaningful strides toward addressing these issues, but there remains a lot more to do.

“The Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge Hub is a testament to our collective commitment to learning, sharing knowledge, and creating better systems for individuals, families, and communities.”

Each of the four peak body organisations – the Center for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, No to Violence, Safe and Equal, and Sexual Assault Services Victoria – have contributed key resources to the FVSV Hub, which includes case studies, research, webinars and training that reflect the latest insights and best practices. It is a one-stop-shop for practitioners, policymakers, funders and governments to share and access current high-quality data and research and practice evidence to inform decision-making, practice and policy about family violence and sexual violence.

Visit the hub at www.fvsvhub.com.au