Webinar: Continuing the Conversation

The organisation I work for is designed to support ADF members who have experienced military sexual violence. Through our website we have received a number of disclosures from military family members who have experienced Defence related sexual trauma. We are not really set up to provide support to family members, we are a small grass roots charity, with all volunteers, and at this stage are not able to scale to include sexual trauma for family members. We are not comfortable however with not referring these members to somewhere that can help and understand and provide a supportive environment for these lovely people.  Open Arms is not really set up currently for sexual trauma. Which of your organisations is the most appropriate for us to be referring those that disclose to us. We also want to be a every door is the right door responsive.

Hi @Chair ,

Great to have you here on forums.

Regarding which organisations you might refer to around sexual trauma, consider:

1800 Respect

Blue Knot

Casa House

Thanks

@Chair great question - noting that our moderator has provided some options below, another couple of suggestions..

Families of Veterans Guild have social workers who can understand individual needs and provide support and/or connection to the right services, but RSL Life Care is another great "door" depending on location.

Back when I worked for Legacy, when a family member would come to us we'd take time to understand their psychosocial, financial and support needs. The services we could provide, we would, and for those we couldn't - we would find a support service who could. The advantage of this is that this also provides a connection point to the community services that also exist in this space, those who specialise in areas like sexual trauma and FDV. Sometimes they are the most appropriate service of all.

Thank you @Kate82 - You are not alone!!!

Apart from DVA, open arms, soldier on, partners of veterans, and the family veterans orgs and other various volunteer led groups and community organisations, is there anywhere or anything particular apart from just the usual google search that any of you think is really good for supporting your vet upon retirement. I know they'll do all the official paperwork and exit strategy stuff, but for me personally as the wife and partner. I've got mixed feelings and emotions about it as you can imagine.

I'm excited, relieved, looking forward to our future and sharing a meal etc, but then I can only imagine there are going to be moments attached that are challenging AF while he adjusts to civilian life. I just want to be as equipped and prepared as possible for the ride because I know that reality is not as romantic as watching old fashioned Hollywood war love movies.

@Kate82 - That's a tricky question - because you've listed so many supports already! Do you have a Veteran and Family Wellbeing Hub in your area? If so, wander in and say hi - you'll be so pleasantly surprised.

It sounds like your veteran is still serving - if so, DMFS and Defence Families Australia will be your best bet, and they'll also be able to link you in to transition supports (when the time is right), and then beyond - when the Wellbeing Agency is set up on the 1st of July, that'll be another resource for you too. One of the cool thing about the Agency is that it provides navigation support to families/non-clients of DVA.

But, also the support services you've listed are all "right doors" too 🙂