The Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA) is offering free, confidential support for people distressed by the recent alleged sexual assault in childcare centres.
WestCASA has activated a specialist response team through funding from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to provide tailored support for families and for those working in the early childhood education sector.
To meet community needs, WestCASA is offering services that include an initial engagement and assessment, brief intervention lasting one to four sessions, and referrals to longer-term counselling or special support services.
The centre will also be reaching out to early childhood education centres across the Western Region to offer tailored education and wellbeing sessions.
They will include understanding trauma and its impact on children and adults, how to respond sensitively to a child’s disclosure, and how to create supportive, emotionally safe environments for children and staff.
In addition, WestCASA will be offering counselling and debriefing sessions for early childhood educators, recognising that recent events may have caused distress or uncertainty within the workforce.
Chief executive Annette Vickery said it was an important time to reach out.
‘We recognise that traumatic events such as these can affect not only victim-survivors and their families, but also educators, caregivers, staff, and the broader community,” she said.
WestCASA’s direct line from 9am-5pm on weekdays is 9216 0444 or visit westcasa.org.au. This service is also available to general practice staff.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA). While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
