Integrating harm reduction in family violence services: a collaborative initiative

The intersection of substance use and family violence presents significant challenges – recognised by the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016) as both a contributing risk factor and a consequence. This presentation details a collaborative initiative between alcohol and other drugs services and the family violence refuge sector in Victoria that addresses these challenges. Initiated by specialist family violence advisors in AOD and championed by both sectors’ peak bodies, the project has supported the refuge sector to remove previously utilised abstinence frameworks in family violence refuges. This approach has included training sessions, policy development, and the establishment of support systems that address the interrelated challenges of substance use and family violence. It also provides a replicable framework, advocating for a cross-sector harm minimisation approach that can be applied beyond the refuge setting.

Alannah Cavalieri | Specialist AOD Family Violence Advisor, Odyssey Victoria

Alannah works on Wurundjeri Country as an AOD Family Violence Advisor at Odyssey Victoria. A social worker with 15 -years’ experience in both residential and community settings, she is passionate about anti oppressive practice and systems transformation.

Jess Moretti | Specialist AOD Family Violence Advisor, Uniting AOD

With a background in social work and community development, Jess has spent the last ten years working across a range of public treatment services within the AOD sector and has a special interest in working at the intersections of family violence and substance use.

Credited Persons

Louise Kennedy | Specialist AOD Family Violence Advisor, Latrobe Community Health Service

Meg Bagnall | Lead AOD & Family Violence, Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association

The Family Violence stream is sponsored by