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. * Page 9 * 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.