Nillumbik Shire Council and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (YPRL) have announced a new collaborative initiative to strengthen the support available to community members experiencing family violence, with 25 YPRL staff set to participate in specialist Responding to Disclosures of Family Violence training delivered by FVREE (Free from Family Violence).
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that frontline staff across public spaces, including libraries, are equipped with the skills and confidence to respond safely, sensitively and effectively when members of the community disclose experiences of family violence.
Council and library staff are increasingly recognising the important role public spaces play as places of refuge, connection and support. Libraries, customer service centres and other community facilities are often among the few safe and accessible spaces where people experiencing violence can seek assistance or information.
As disclosures of family violence to both Council and library staff continue to increase, the training will provide officers with practical tools to respond in an empathetic, trauma-informed and appropriate manner, while connecting people to specialist support services that can best meet their needs.
Nillumbik Shire Council Mayor, Cr Naomi Joiner said the initiative demonstrates the value of local partnerships in building a safer and more supportive community.
"Family violence affects individuals, families and communities across Victoria. Many people experiencing violence interact with Council services and community facilities every day, and it is vital that our staff are prepared to respond with compassion and confidence when someone reaches out for help."
"We are proud to partner with Yarra Plenty Regional Library to extend this important training opportunity and strengthen our collective capacity to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community."
Yarra Plenty Regional Library Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nicole Rudden, said libraries were uniquely positioned to provide a welcoming and trusted environment for community members.
"Our libraries are places where everyone should feel safe and connected. Our staff are trusted by the community and often asked for help or advice in difficult situations. When experiences of family violence are disclosed, we have a responsibility to ensure that person feels supported and that our staff know how to respond appropriately."
"This partnership recognises that responding well can make a significant difference to someone seeking help. We are grateful for the opportunity to build the capability of our team through this specialist training."
The FVREE training will support participants to recognise indicators of family violence, respond safely to disclosures, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and make informed referrals to specialist family violence services and supports.
By investing in workforce capability across both organisations, Nillumbik Shire Council and Yarra Plenty Regional Library are helping to create a network of informed and compassionate community professionals who can play an important role in connecting people experiencing family violence with the support they need.
