www.wdvcasnsw.org.au

Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW Inc.PO Box K278, Sydney NSW 2000Tel: 0474 779 847ABN: 27 935 124 470

Annual Report2014 – 2015

Page 2

About the WDVCAS NSW Inc.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. is the peak non-government association representing its members (the 28 WDVCASs including the Local Coordination Points) who are advocating for women and their children experiencing domestic and family violence.

We are an independent voice for our members supporting better outcomes for women and children by identifying and advocating on domestic violence issues within social, political and legal contexts, at both state and national levels.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. is funded by Legal Aid NSW through the Women Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (WDVCAP) and by our members.

Our Vision and PurposeOur vision is to achieve better outcomes for women and their children by identifying and advocating on systematic domestic and family violence issues within social, political and legal contexts.

The purpose of the WDVCAS NSW Inc. is to:

• advocate in social, legal and political settings on behalf of its members who provide support to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence;

• collaborate and consult with key stakeholders; as well as

• formulate recommendations for systemic policy and law reform.

We are informed by a feminist analysis of power and recognise domestic and family violence as a crime and a violation of the human rights of women and children.

Our AimsOur aims are:

1. To identify and advocate on domestic and family violence issues with a focus on systemic policy and law reform;

2. To produce high quality policy documents, submissions and independent research that is circulated widely;

3. To draw upon the expertise of our members and in turn, to provide high quality professional support to them;

4. To develop strong partnerships and work collaboratively with our stakeholders; and

5. To be a well governed and managed association with an expanded funding and membership base.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. Guiding PrinciplesWDVCAS NSW Inc. is founded on human rights principles , which:

• are informed by a feminist analysis which seeks to empower and recognise domestic and family violence as a crime and a violation of the human rights of women and children;

• recognise the gendered nature of domestic and family violence and its disproportionate impact on women;

• are determined to identify systemic policy and law reform issues impacting on service delivery to clients experiencing domestic and family violence;

• are informed by a focus on positive outcomes for WDVCAS clients;

• communicate openly and believe that consultation is a priority where possible and practical;

• respect and value individual differences of opinion; and

• practise decision making by consensus where possible.

Page 3

Introduction by the Chair

WDVCAS NSW Inc. has had another very busy and proactive year.

The Domestic Violence Justice Strategy and It Stops Here reforms have been implemented across NSW. With 2 sites fully functioning and 4 further sites commencing training and implementation at the end of the financial year.

WDVCAS NSW recognises the tremendous effort made by all of the WDVCAS’ over the past 12 months and the statistics speak for themselves:

• Number of clients supported for 2014/15 was 22,557

• Number of service events (i.e.: anything done for/with the client) for 2014/15: 102,127 service events – an increase of 39% from the previous financial year.

This really does show the level of commitment made by the professional WDVCAS workers who we recognise as domestic violence specialist workers. I thank all WDVCAS workers in NSW for their continued dedication to supporting women and their children on all issues of domestic violence – both at Court and outside of the justice system. Their assistance and support of WDVCAS NSW Inc. does not go unrecognized.

The membership base has broadened since the last year with an increase in membership revenue of 85%. This is very positive and reflects the hard work by the Executive Officer in raising the profile of WDVCAS NSW Inc.

In the past 12 months we sent out ten media releases including comments on domestic violence penalties, the Reforms, statistics on Breaches of ADVO’s. We had unprecedented media coverage which served to raise awareness of domestic violence and the WDVCASs.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. also met with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, senior government officials and representatives of the NGO community. We were active members of the NSW Women’s Alliance and remain committed to coordinate with others working in the sector. We presented at numerous conferences including the Legal Aid NSW Forums and the DVNSW Annual Conference.

WDVCAS NSW continue to have a close partnership with Legal Aid NSW and still meet regularly with them. WDVCAS NSW Inc is an active participant in the WDVCAP Advisory Committee.

The website for WDVCAS NSW Inc. maintains updates and resources for members who login and also has information on the role of the peak.

I would like to particularly thank the following Board Members for the support and dedication – especially given the increased workload they all have within their own WDVCAS. These Board Members are Anita Cox, Ela Foster, Catherine Limon, Sandra Sheridan, Aunty Vikki Armytage (who resigned from the Board through this year), Ann Jones, Sarah Marshall and Narelle Blows.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. look forward to another year of supporting the WDVCAS’ on the implementation of the Reforms and Domestic Violence Justice Justice Strategy. I thank the WDVCAS’, service providers, partners and peaks for their assistance to this peak. We look forward to the outcomes of the research project commenced in this period that will look in detail at the implementation of the reforms and the impact on the WDVCAS’. I also acknowledge the continued support of Legal Aid NSW and the WDVCAP team in our work as a peak and also as our funding body.

In finalising this report I would particularly like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the Executive Officer – Helen Brereton. She has done a remarkable job in her role with the peak and her efforts have been amazing. Helen should be congratulated on her hard work, which has increased the profile of the peak yet again. Thank you Helen.

Tanya Whitehouse Chair

Page 4

Board of Directors at 30 June 2015

WDVCAS NSW Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors. The members of WDVCAS NSW Inc. elect the members of the Board of Directors each year at the organisation’s annual general meeting. The Board meets at least six times each calendar year face to face and through teleconference facilities for regional and rural members.

The Board of Directors are a vital link between our members, the domestic violence sector as a whole, and the Board appointed Executive Officer.

The members of the 2014-2015 Board of Directors were:

Chair Tanya Whitehouse Macarthur WDVCAS

Vice Chair Sarah Marshall Illawarra WDVCAS

Treasurer Sandra Sheridan Mid North Coast WDVCAS

Secretary Anita Cox Blue Mountains WDVCAS

Ordinary member Narelle Blows Far West WDVCAS

Ordinary member Ela Foster Northern Rivers WDVCAS

Ordinary member Ann Jones Riverina WDVCAS

Special AdvisorsThe Board of Directors appointed two special advisors to forge stronger links with the Aboriginal and CALD Specialist Worker Networks to ensure our work is informed by their unique experiences and to ensure the Board membership reflects the diversity of WDVCAS workers:

Special Advisor Catherine Limon

Special Advisor Aunty Vicki Armytage

StaffExecutive Officer Helen Brereton

Page 5

2014/15 – Highlights of Key Results

The key achievements of WDVCAS NSW Inc. in the 2014-2015 financial year are: systemic policy and law reform, advocacy, lobbying during the state election, policy position papers and submissions, furthering partnerships, a new research project on the implementation of the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy (DVJS), membership coordination and learning, presentations, media work and communications, governance and representation on external committees.

Systemic policy and law reformA key aim of WDVCAS NSW Inc. is to work with our members to improve service delivery to women experiencing domestic and family violence through identification of issues affecting WDVCAS clients’ access to justice and services. To this end, we develop independent policy position papers, prepare submissions and undertake extensive media work.

Our work in the policy and legal reform arena has been profoundly important this year as policy and legal responses to domestic and family violence have intensified in recent years with the launch of It Stops Here which incorporates the NSW Domestic Violence Justice Strategy as well as other related reform programs of the NSW

Government including the Going Home Staying Home reforms in the area of crisis accommodation and major reforms in child protection.

In 2014-2015 we have:

closely monitored trends and issues in the domestic and family violence sector and provided constructive recommendations to policy makers;

acted as a voice for our members through political advocacy;

supported members to advocate for their service on a local level;

developed close partnerships with government agencies and actively represented our members on state and federal government committees and working groups;

incorporated our findings and analyses into position papers, submissions and inquiries;

identified research opportunities to complement the Government’s evaluation work for domestic and family violence related reforms;

engaged in state-wide media advocacy on systematic policy and legal reform issues through media campaigns, including the issue of media releases;

been an active member of the NSW Women’s Alliance and actively promoted collaboration and partnership within other peak organisations;

proactively developed relationships with other peak organisations including those in the homelessness and justice sectors.

Page 6

Examples of our advocacy work in 2014/15• Meeting with Minister Goward to discuss Safer Pathways and the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy. Follow-up letter sent to Minister

Goward with estimated costings for 28 WDVCASs to host the Local Coordination Points;

• Letter sent to Attorney General requesting additional funding for Legal Aid NSW/WDVCASs to implement the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy;

• Letter sent to the Minister for Police and Justice regarding Safer Pathways and the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy;

• Letter sent to Minister Hazzard re: impact of Going Home Stay Home (GHSH) reforms on WDVCAS service provision. Subsequently the Executive Officer met with Minister Hazzard’s Advisor;

• Meeting with Jodie Harrison, Shadow Minister for Women on DVJS and Safer Pathways;

• Consultation attended with Department of Justice on the Mid-Term Review of the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy;

• Meeting initiated with Women NSW, Department of Justice and WDVCAP re: Safer Pathways and the DVJS;

• Letter sent to Legal Aid NSW re: member feedback on the DVJS;

• Pro forma letter to MPs circulated to members re: funding for WDVCASs to implement the Justice Strategy. Twelve WDVCASs sent letters to their local MPs and several scheduled meetings with their local members;

• Participation in the Violent Domestic Crimes Task-force Round Table convened by Minister Goward;

• NSW Women’s Alliance letter to Premier Baird on locating Women NSW in Health signed by Executive Officer;

• Participation in a NSW Women’s Alliance consultation with Urbis on the development of the evaluation framework for It Stops Here;

• Participation in a special consultation with Urbis and WDVCAS NSW Inc representatives on the development of the evaluation framework for It Stops Here;

• Participation in a consultation with OurWatch on the development of the National Framework to Prevent Violence Against Women and their children;

• Regular meetings with the CEO of Domestic Violence NSW;

• Participation in the Victims of Crime Interagency coordinated by Victim Services;

• Participation in on the Apprehended Violence Legal Issues Coordinating Committee (AVLICC);

• Participation in a special consultation (by invitation only) with Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women on Women’s Rights and Protection;

• Letter to NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Mark Murdoch sent re: a campaign for male victims of violence posted on the NSW Police Facebook page. Mark Murdoch’s response circulated to Board members.

A SNAP SHOT:

WDVCAS NSW Inc Executive Officer, Helen Brereton, participating in a special consultation with the Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women on Women’s Rights Protection, University of NSW February 2015.

Page 7

Policy position papers and submissions Policy papers are an important way of WDVCAS NSW Inc. explaining their position on policy and providing detailed information to members about government policy and reform. Submissions are an integral way for WDVCAS NSW Inc. to inform government policy and to voice the concerns of members on a systemic level.

In 2014/2015, WDVCAS NSW Inc. focussed on two key submissions; on the Information Sharing Protocol and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme. A detailed Policy Position Paper was written about the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy.

Submission on the Information Sharing Protocol.

• A WDVCAS NSW Inc. submission on the Information Sharing Protocol developed and submitted to Department of Justice. This was circulated to all members and Legal Aid NSW. Further feedback provided to Department of Justice on the informational sharing compliance Memorandum Of Understanding;

• The Executive Officer attended a Department of Justice consultation on the draft Information Sharing Protocol.

Policy Position Paper on the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy (DVJS).

• In July 2014 considerable work was undertaken to circulate a Policy Position Paper on the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy. This included:

• The Executive Officer presenting at the WDVCAP Forum on 2 July 2014 at which time the key elements of the Policy Position Paper were presented to over 400 stakeholders;

• The position paper was circulated to all Domestic Violence Local Officers (DVLOs) following a request to Robyn Auld from the NSW Police;

• A meeting was held between the Georgina Harrison, Deputy Director General, Family and Community Services (FACS) and Christine Foran, Executive Director, Women NSW to discuss our position on the reforms and the DVJS.

Submission on the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS)

• The Executive Officer attended a DVDS Roundtable at Parliament House with Premier Baird, Minister Grant, Minister Goward and the Attorney General (Gabrielle Upton);

• A teleconference was held with members to develop a WDVCAS NSW Inc. position on the DVDS. A draft submission on DVDS was then circulated to members for comment;

• A WDVCAS NSW Inc. submission on the DVDS was submitted to the NSW Government.

A copy of all submissions and policy papers can be found on the WDVCAS NSW Inc. website.

State Election Campaign 2015In March 2015 there was a state election which was used as an opportunity to promote the WDVCASs and to advocate for more funding. To this end WDVCAS NSW Inc. produced:

• A WDVDCAS NSW Inc. election ‘Policy Position Statement’ with three accompanying background briefings prepared by the Executive Officer in consultation with the Board entitled ‘About WDVCAS NSW Inc.’, ‘WDVCAS NSW Inc., the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Reform Framework’ and ‘Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) and the NSW Justice Systems’ Response to domestic and family violence’;

• Background Briefings, circulated to all members to use in their areas;

• Lobbying papers posted on the WDVCAS NSW Inc. website;

• A media release, developed to announce WDVCAS NSW Inc.’s election platform;

• Letters and election Policy Position Statement, sent to:

– Minister Pru Goward

– Minister Brad Hazzard

– Minister Gabrielle Upton

– Luke Foley, Leader of Opposition

– Linda Burney, Deputy Leader of Opposition

– Sophie Cotsis, Shadow Minister for Women

• As a result of the letters, meetings were held with:

– Shadow Minister for Women, Sophie Cotsis and Emma Bennett, the Premiers Gender Advisor

– Christine Foran, Executive Director of Women NSW

– Minister Brad Hazzard

– Shadow Minister, Linda Burney

– Minister for Community and Family Services, Gabrielle Upton

Copies of all WDVCAS NSW Inc. submissions and position papers can be found at www.wdvcasnsw.org.au

Page 8

Partnerships and CoordinationA key strategy of WDVCAS has been to develop quality partnerships and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in the sector; including government, police, courts and other service providers. WDVCAS NSW Inc. works hard to raise the profile of the association and its’ membership. WDVCAS NSW Inc. currently sits on several government and non-government committees and working groups as outlined later in this report.

Legal Aid NSW is a key partner of WDVCAS NSW Inc. through the WDVCAP. Legal Aid NSW is responsible for the funding and management of the WDVCAS’ and is a key player in the inter-government response to domestic and family violence in NSW. For multiple reasons, Legal Aid NSW has a strong working relationship with WDVCAS NSW Inc., and it has been a priority to maintain a strong, open and collaborative partnership.

WDVCAS NSW Inc. is an active member of the NSW Women’s Alliance and attended all their monthly meetings. Membership of the NSW Women’s Alliance allows WDVCAS NSW Inc. an opportunity to present the views of WDVCAS members and to promote collaboration and partnership within the DV sector.

WDVCAS NSW Inc Executive Officer, Helen Brereton (back right) and Tanya Whitehouse (left) at the Downing Centre with participates of an Indondian women’s empowerment project March 2015.

Domestic Violence Justice Strategy (DVJS) Research Project In 2015, Legal Aid NSW provided WDVCAS NSW Inc. with additional funding to undertake a special research project on WDVCASs implementation of the DVJS.

The key objective of the research is to examine the impact of key elements of the DVJS on WDVCAS service delivery. The research will capture information on the progress of the WDVCAS in the implementation of their requirements under the NSW Domestic Violence Justice Strategy, in particular, Justice Outcomes 1, 2 and 3. The research will also explore changes in work practices of WDVCAS in response to the new requirements. For more information on the research project also refer to the ‘Project Plan’.

Associate Professor Lesley Laing from the University of Sydney has been engaged in a technical advisory capacity. Cherie Toivonen from the University of Sydney was engaged as Senior Research Officer for WDVCAS NSW Inc. The recruitment of a WDVCAS NSW Inc Research Officer, Renata Field, was completed. The research is expected to be launched in March 2016.

Member coordination and learningA key objective of the year was to draw upon the expertise of our members and provide high quality professional support to them. In 2014/15 WDVCAS NSW Inc.:

hosted a “member forum” to provide space to discuss systematic policy and legal reform issues and to develop policy positions in an open and consultative manner;

acted on issues raised by our members;

provided members with regular updates on developments in the sector (state, national and international developments) including via email and via the ‘members only’ area of the WDVCAS NSW Inc. website;

provided members with opportunities for information exchanges and opportunities for discussion of common issues of concern;

provided memberships to participate in WDVCAS NSW Inc. governance mechanisms such as the monitoring subcommittee;

supported members to engage the media in their local area through the provision of mentoring and resources, for example, sample media releases;

supported members to engage in lobbying and advocacy work in their local area through the provision of day to day support and resources, for example, sample letters to MPs;

participated in training for new WDVCAS workers via Legal Aid NSW core training;

worked collaboratively with Legal Aid NSW to develop the Legal Aid Forums programs and training programs.

Page 9

Support our members• Inaugural WDVCAS NSW Inc. Member Forum held on 2 July 2014 to provide space for all members to meet and to contribute to discussions

on key policy issues and related positions;

• WDVCAS NSW Inc. Board monitoring sub committee met three times, providing an opportunity for interested members to participate in monitoring the reforms;

• An increase in communication with our members. Regular email updates on sector developments were provided;

• The Executive Officer supported WDVCAS Coordinators to undertake media training at the local level and have significant coverage in some areas;

• Media trainer, Rachel Friend, provided media training to members at the March Forum (with funding from Legal Aid NSW);

• Three background briefing papers circulated to members including a paper on Safer Pathways and the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy;

• Member’s experiences of the Going Home Staying Home reforms and its impact on service providers monitored via email, resulting in a letter being sent to Minister Hazzard;

• The Executive Officer participated in the March 2015 WDVCAP Forum and WDVCAS Coordinators Network meeting;

• The Executive Officer and Chair observed a Safety Action Meeting in Waverley and a report was sent to WDVCAP and members;

• Regular emails sent to members to report back on the impact of Going Home Staying Home in their areas;

• A media kit was sent to all members in preparation of the launch of the new service delivery model. The media kit contains media releases, speaking points, case studies and a sample letter to the editor and is available on the website for all members.

A SNAP SHOT:

PresentationsWDVCAS NSW Inc. has welcomed the opportunity to participate in a range of government and non-government forums dedicated to the reduction of Domestic Violence. In 2014-2015 the Executive Officer:

• Presented at the annual DVNSW Conference;

• Presented at a Wagga Wagga Domestic Violence Public Forum organised by the Wagga Wagga WDVCAS. The subject of the presentation was “policy development in domestic and family violence”. The forum was attended by over 150 participants;

• Attended the Gender Violations in the Asia Pacific Region conference held at the University of New South Wales.

Page 10

Summary of media coverage • Executive Officer quoted in a Sydney Morning Herald article re: DV penalties “Domestic assaults treated more leniently”;

• Chair interviewed on ABC Sydney radio on breaches of AVDOs;

• Chair interviewed on Triple M radio on DV;

• Charmaigne Weldon, WDVCAS Sydney Aboriginal Specialist worker, featured in a Sun Herald feature;

• Executive Officer conducted a radio interview with ABC Mid Coast on ADVOs and the Reforms;

• WDVCAS NSW Inc. Chair participated in an interview on ABC Sydney about financial abuse; http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4224749.htm?site=hobart

• Executive Officer interviewed on ABC Sydney, ahead of a vigil that was being held in Blacktown for Linda Locke who tragically died as a result of an [alleged] domestic assault by her partner;

• ABC News Radio - Executive Officer interviewed on feature: “Calls for whole of government response to stopping DV”;

• Chair interviewed by Camden/Narellan Advertiser on “DV register”;

• Executive Officer interviewed by the ABC with Joanna Schulman from the Redfern Legal Centre and Paul Linossier from Our Watch; http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4228634.html

• Chair interviewed by Camden/Narellan Advertiser on DV evidence kits;

• Chair interviewed by Sydney Morning Herald on AVDOs and breaches;

• Chair interviewed by Camden/Wollondilly Advertiser on the introduction of a statistical reporting framework’

• Executive Officer and Vice-Chair interviewed by Fairfax Illawarra re: changes to DV PASS/Police Yellow Card system and WDVCAS Inc Domestic Violence Justice Strategy; http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/story/3038433/funding-surprise-for-shellharbour-domestic-violence-service/?cs=1460

• Executive Officer interviewed by Rachel Olding from the Sydney Morning Herald on Women NSW to Health; http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/ nsw-domestic-violence-deaths-2-women-dead-in-7-days-20150503-1mypxd.html

• Port News feature on Domestic Violence including WDVCAS NSW Inc. treasurer; http://www.portnews.com.au/story/3043077/domestic-violence-does-not-discriminate/

• Northern Sydney WDVCAS feature on financial abuse.; http://newslocal.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx?noredirect=true

• Northern Sydney WDVCAS in North Shore Times;

• WDVCAS NSW Inc. Vice-Chair interviewed on proposed ankle bracelets; http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3089929/mixed-reaction-for-domestic-violence-ankle-tags/?cs=12

• Joint media release with Redfern Legal Centre on “Domestic Violence: Senate report recommends reversal of funding cuts to legal services and frontline domestic violence service providers”;

• Article on Sky News re: The Senate Report. Executive Officer quoted;

• ABC radio “The World Today” interview with Executive Officer on the DV review team report;

• Feature in the Sun Herald on Safer Pathways in Waverley – “Domestic Abuse exposed in the Eastern Suburbs.” Executive Officer and coordinator of Sydney WDVCAS quoted;

• Publication of an opinion piece by the Executive Officer in the The Age;

• Media release circulated entitled, “Political party commitments fall short in response to escalating domestic violence homicides” for use by members,

• WDVCAS NSW Inc. Chair quoted in an article on Clare’s Law in The Advertiser.

Copies of all media releases can be found on WDVCAS NSW Inc. website.

Media and communicationsWDVCAS NSW Inc values the importance of undertaking media work as a means of promoting our work on systematic policy and law reform issues. We have actively engaged in state-wide media advocacy on systematic policy and legal reform issues through media campaigns, including the issue of media releases.

Page 11

Good governanceWDVCAS NSW Inc. is a relatively new organisation (established in 2011) and the need to continuously find ways to strengthen the governance and management of the association was a key priority.

In 2014/15 we have built the governance capacity of the Board of Directors and staff to ensure they can fulfil all their obligations to achieve the organisation’s aims and objectives.

Steps taken to enhance governance capacity of the association included the development of the WDVCAS NSW Inc. three year strategic plan and budget (2015-2018).

Summary of 2015-2018 Vision, Objectives and Key Result Areas

Key A

ctivit

iesKe

y Res

ult Ar

eas

Objec

tives

Visio

n Our vision is to achieve better outcomes for women and their children by identifying and advocating onsystemic domestic and family violence issues with social, political and legal contexts

Political advocacy and networking

Media advocacy and campaigns

Preparation of submissions, policy positions papers and research

Monitoring the reform processes of the government

Representation on state level committees and working groups

Presentations at conferences and forums

Provide members with information and resources through e-bulletins

Update the members only area on the website

Support to members, undertake media and advocacy work in their local area

Provide members with opportunities for training and networking

Conduct a survey of members to assess levels of satisfaction

Consultation on a name change of the association

Expand resource base

Expand membership base

New sta� positions are created

Capacity development of Board and sta�

Stronger linkages with Aboriginal and CALD Specialist worker networks

Undertake a review of governance and management arrangements

1. To identify and advocate on domestic and family violence issues with a focus on systemic policy and law reform2. To produce high quality policy papers, submissions and independent research3. To draw upon the expertise of our members and provide high quality professional support to them4. To develop strong partnerships and work collaboratively with our stakeholders5. To be a well governed and managed association with an expanded funding and membership base

1. Evidence based advocacy 2. Support to our members 3. Good governance andmanagement

Page 12

Further governance work of 2014/15 included:

• The Board of Directors met 8 times;

• A priority of 2014/15 was to develop stronger links with the Aboriginal and CALD specialist worker networks to ensure our work is informed by their unique experiences and to ensure the Board membership reflects the diversity of WDVCAS workers. To this ends two special advisors were appointed to the Board representing the two specialist networks;

• The association’s annual general meeting held on 17 November 2014;

• Six meetings held between WDVCAP/Legal Aid NSW, the Executive Officer and the Chair. The relationship between WDVCAS NSW Inc. and WDVCAP remains strong and cooperative;

• Ten supervision meetings held between the Chair, and the Executive Officer. Regular phone and email contact also took place and the working relationship between the Chair and the Executive Officer remains excellent;

• WDVCAS NSW Inc. successfully made an application to the Australian Charities and Not-for Profit Commission to change its sub type to a Public Benevolent Institution. Subsequent to this, the Australian Taxation Office granted the association fringe benefit tax exemption;

• Board ‘Governance orientation kits prepared for Board members which included the recently adopted constitution, tax exemption status notification from the Australian Tax Office and adopted governance policies and procedures;

• Several changes made to the constitution following a special resolution from members. NSW Fair Trading formally notified that the new Constitution of WDVCAS NSW Inc. was accepted;

• All WDVCAS NSW Inc. internal policies and procedures revised by the Executive Officer and Board to ensure full compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements;

• Governance training held for all Board members and the Executive Officer on March 10, 2015 with Donna Bevan, governance trainer;

• A ‘finance briefing’ held for all Board members by Karyn Bridges, WDVCAS NSW Inc. bookkeeper.

We are funded by Legal Aid NSW through the Women Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program and by our members.

www.wdvcasnsw.org.au

WDVCAS NSW Inc. Representatives on external bodies

Organisation Committee Representative

Department of Attorney General and Justice

Apprehended Violence Legal Issues Coordinating Committee (AVLICC)

Helen Brereton/ Susan Smith (member)

Legal Aid NSWWomen’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program

(WDVCAP) Advisory CommitteeTanya Whitehouse

NSW Victims Services Victims of Crime Interagency Helen Brereton

Non-government NSW Women’s AllianceHelen Brereton

Tanya Whitehouse

FACSDomestic Violence and Child Protection

intersect working groupHelen Brereton

NSW Police NSW Police Force DFV Stakeholder Forum Helen Brereton