Project Spotlight

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Organisation:	Southern Family Life Service Association Inc., trading as Family Life
Project Name:	STAR Program (Safe Talk About Rights)

Background Information:

Children are affected by family violence in many ways, whether the violence is directed at them personally or they witness family violence directed at other members of their family. Considerable research has emerged, over the past decade or more, confirming the devastating impact family violence can have on children's lives and their physical and emotional development (Family Court of Australia’s Family Violence Strategy). Family violence is a form of child abuse. Discrete programs commonly focussing on men who use violence or women experiencing violence can overlook the needs of children. Investment in training and program resources for working with children will lead to improved outcomes for children and families. An improved focus on children is essential for long-term outcomes to prevent trans-generational patterns of family violence.

Project Description:

Family Life’s STAR Program is a group treatment program for children and parents affected by family violence. It focuses on the development of mutually satisfying and respectful relationships amongst all family members. For children, the STAR Program specifically aims to provide a safe environment where they can explore issues of family violence, their feelings and behaviour, with the support of their primary caregiver. For parents, the STAR Program aims to further their understanding of the impact of family violence on children and support their role in assisting the recovery and well being of their children and in parenting children after violence.

Family Life’s STAR Program aims to:

enable the primary carer to understand the impact on their children of witnessing or experiencing family violence;
help parents to learn ways of supporting their children, including reducing children’s self-blame, enhancing their self-esteem and resilience, assisting children to communicate assertively and to communicate and manage their feelings, and problem solve;
assist parents with their parenting after the violence;
help parents to support the children’s group process; and
strengthen parents’ relationships with their children in the aftermath of the trauma of family violence.

Requirements:

Prior to commencing in the STAR Program, parents and children are assessed by qualified staff. The family violence needs to have ceased at least 6 months prior to participation in the STAR Program. Children need to be aged between 8 and 11 years.

Evaluation:

In the last STAR Program, all parents experienced positive changes from attending the group, including: an enhanced relationship with their child stemming from a better understanding of the effects of violence on their children and of how to communicate with and listen to their children; and increased knowledge and skills around parenting and discipline that enabled them to feel more confident as a parent, which in turn increased their self-esteem.

Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes. All donations to Southern Family Life Service Association Inc. over $2 are tax deductible.

Contact details for further information:
Ms Judith Latta, Community Relations Manager
Ph: (03) 9598 2133
Mob: 0408 235 846
Email: jlatta@familylife.com.au
Website: www.familylife.com.au

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