DV Vic core values emerge from an understanding of feminist, human rights and social justice frameworks. Our core values reflect those detailed in DV Vic’s Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence services and are demonstrated in all areas of policy and practice.

• Rights: Family violence is a fundamental violation of human rights and unacceptable in any form

• Safety: The safety of women and children who experience family violence is of paramount consideration in any response

• Children: Children need to be protected from harm; to have their rights protected; and to have their opportunities for development promoted.

• Empowerment: Family violence services work with women and children to build on their strengths and enhance their capacity to make informed decisions and exercise their right to self determination without coercion and free from judgement.

• Diversity: Family violence is experienced by women and children regardless of class, ethnicity, religion, age, abilities, or sexual preference. The experiences of women and children who live with family violence are distinct and unique.

• Access and Equity: Services responding to women and children experiencing family violence provide accessible support in a fair and equitable manner.

• Collaborative Practice: Services responding to family violence are committed to improving their services through greater coordination and integration.

• Responsibility: Responsibility for violence rests with the perpetrator of the violence, and eradication and prevention of violence is the responsibility of the community as a whole.

• Accountability: Perpetrators should be held accountable for their use of violence and challenged to take responsibility for their actions.

• Power: Responses to family violence must recognise and address the power imbalance and gender inequality between those using violence (predominately men) and those experiencing violence (predominately women and children).

• Justice: Physical or sexual violence within the family is a crime which warrants a strong and effective justice system response.

• Advocacy: Family violence services advance the rights and interests of women and children affected by family violence on an individual and broader societal level.  

Contact Us | Feedback | Home

URL: http://www.dvvic.org.au/values.html
Email: admin@dvvic.org.au    Phone: 03 9921 0828
Web Page Last Updated: 5 February 2008
For problems accessing this site email admin@dvvic.org.au