Berry Street Web Docs Berry Street Annual Report 2011 | Page 11
Our
new
5. Helping boys to break the
cycle of family violence
Open Place – support service
for Forgotten Australians
Strat
egic
D
tow
We know that boys who are exposed
to family violence are more likely to be
violent with their own families. We want to
build on a very successful program we ran
a decade ago to help break this cycle.
We haven’t had the time or resources to
start this project yet, but will draw on the
recent visit of Clark Baim, who provided
some ‘train the trainer’ training for staff
interested in this challenging work.
6. Knowledge Leadership
We have a long and proud tradition of
delivering services aimed at protecting
children and strengthening families. We
have committed to continuing this vital
work in Victoria but recognise that we
must broaden our approach if we are
to have a positive impact on the lives
of many more children both within and
beyond the State of Victoria
Collaborating with other local and
international experts, in 2012 we plan to
establish a new platform for building and
sharing knowledge from the practice
of our child and family, therapeutic
and education services. Through
research, training, program and practice
development, and dissemination we aim
to promote the best ways to restore the
health and wellbeing of children who
have not had a good childhood.
Over time we will join with others who
share our concern about the challenges
facing childhood today, seeking to
ensure all children have the relationships
and opportunities they need so they
can thrive.
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Page 9
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After several years of advocacy by
Forgotten Australians, both State and
Federal Governments have finally
recognised the harm done to too many
children who were placed in institutions.
In 2006, Berry Street offered our own
Apology to past care leavers for any
harm caused, with a separate Apology
to the Stolen Generations.
In its first full year of service, Open
Place provided help to 1,319 service
users – through records and searches,
family reunions, counselling, life skills
and assistance with health needs.
Nine social and support groups were
established throughout Victoria, a new
peer leadership program was established
and we facilitated input from Forgotten
Australians to the Inquiry into Protecting
Victoria’s Vulnerable Children. Caroline
Carroll, our Records and Reunion
Coordinator at Open Place, continued
her important role as chair of the national
Alliance for Forgotten Australians.
ards
Our creative writing classes produced
some exquisite six word stories:
• I found love, and kept it
• Birth, most painful joy in life
• I’m glad the future is veiled
Through our own Heritage and
Background Information Service for past
clients of Berry Street and Sutherland
Homes for Children, we supported 103
people with information about their
families and time with us.