Domestic violence often has strong links to other social and health

issues such as substance misuse, problem gambling, youth issues, mental health and health deterioration (in elderly). CASSA has continued to be a strong advocate for women, children, the elderly, and for their human rights, promoting zero tolerance in regards to violence towards women, children and the elderly. This year has also witnessed the publication of the second book of the “Butterflies in the Cocoons” series. Part II of this short story series focuses on a much more sensitive aspect of violence towards women and children; child sexual abuse and elderly abuses, which are often disregarded within the community. CASSA has continued to work towards attitudinal changes in domestic violence in the Vietnamese community and the new funding from the DCSI GrantsSA has enable us to conduct further education to the community about family violence with a focus on partner violence, child abuse and elderly abuse.

Actions Against Domestic Violence Project

The project aims to help create a community that is safe and free from violence. This includes:

• Strengthening the communities’ ability to prevent, respond and speak out about violence
• Changing community attitudes and behaviours so that domestic violence is not tolerated
• Encouraging community responsibility to support the reduction of domestic violence
• Enhance CASSA’s staff capacity to provide appropriate services and assistance to victims of domestic violence

The Actions Against Violence Project focuses on early intervention and prevention strategies to prevent domestic violence in a culturally sensitive way. The Project aims to engage with individuals, families and community members from Diverse Cultural backgrounds aged between 12 to 65+ years of age.

The main focus of the project is raising community awareness on domestic violence and encouraging victims to access the support & counselling services available. CASSA aims to achieve this by promoting healthy & respectful relationships through a series of different workshops, programs & community forums. The 2016-2017 financial year will also see the development of Educational resources on domestic violence.

The project started in April 2016, with the project officer primarily spending the last three months of the 2015-2016 financial year networking and making connections with different agencies and organisations for the planning & implementation of the project activities.
These organisations include Parafield Gardens High School, SAPOL, Modbury High School, Roma Mitchell Secondary College, Woodville High School, Underdale High School, Legal Services Commission, Domestic Violence & Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway Services and Shine SA.

CASSA worked with St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary school as well as the Vietnamese Ethnic School to deliver information to Vietnamese parents. CASSA’s Parenting workshops aim to build positive family relationships within Vietnamese families.

CASSA has a team of dedicated staff with expertise to assist Vietnamese parents with some of the following parenting issues:

• How to raise children
• Child abuse
Communication
• Interaction with children

Mental Health

An information session was organised on 15th March 2016 which invited African families to learn and gain awareness about mental health. Two guest speakers from Elizabeth Headspace, a local service where most African families live, shared their knowledge and provided the community with information on Mental Health. One guest speaker talked about youth related mental health, while the other speaker talked about adult mental health and mental health problems. The information session was well received by participants with many recommending another session be delivered in the near future.