Regional Services
Since 2002 VSS has been providing support services
through a state-wide network of service centres.
Victim Support Coordinators (VSCs) are employed in
seven regional centres, from Mount Gambier in the
South East through to Murray Bridge, Berri, Port Pirie,
Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln. VSCs are
able to help victims access the full range of support
services, including counselling, Staying Home
Staying Safe, Royal Commission Support Services
and Court Companions.
VSCs lead and collaborate with key stakeholders in
their regions on a variety of committees and action
groups. Violence Against Women collaborations
continue to drive community events such as White
Ribbon Day, Remembrance Day and a variety of
community expos and campaigns. This year, during
the 16 Days of Activism, successful White Ribbon Day
Events were held across Regional South Australia.
Candlelight Vigils are also held in a number of
regional areas to honour those women and children
killed as a result of domestic and family violence.
These events receive a great deal of media attention
and in 2015-2016 VSS has had a total of 34 mentions
through regional media outlets.
Community engagement and education consistently
plays a large role for our VSCs. Throughout this
year staff have attended a variety of expos and field
days providing community members and stakeholder
agencies with key information on VSS services.
VSS continues to progress with our plans to increase
the number of regional offices co-located with
SAPOL. This service model continues to be a great
success in Pt Augusta and Whyalla, assisting our staff
to develop strong relationships with SAPOL.
Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses
to Child Sexual Abuse commenced in Sydney on
16 September 2013. It has held public hearings and
private sessions across Australia, including Adelaide.
VSS provides support to any individual affected by
the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to
Child Sexual Abuse through the Royal Commission
Support Services (RCSS). This support includes
counselling, both face-to-face and or telephone,
assistance with making statements, attending private
hearings with clients, referral to appropriate services,
and information about the Royal Commission
process. The support services program is funded
by the Australia Government. VSS has received
additional funding of $712K to provide support
services through to June 2018.
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Any community member who has been affected
by Royal Commission into Institutional Response to
Child Sexual Abuse can contact VSS RCSS. Support
in the form of counselling, referral to other relevant
service providers and providing information about
the Royal Commission processes is available before,
during and after engagement with the Commission.
VSS has partnered with the Survivors and Mates
Support Network (SAMSN) to support groups and an
eight week therapeutic program for male survivors of
child sexual abuse.