SECASA AWARE provide assessment and treatment of harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people, whilst providing support to their parents and carers in the southern region of Melbourne, Victoria.
We work with a number of age groups:
Children under 10 years;
Children and young people 10-14 years
Children and young people 10-14 years, under the provisions of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 for Therapeutic Treatment Order (TTO);
Young people 15-17 years.
The AWARE program is a voluntary service for young people aged 17 years and under that operates within The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA). We provide assessment and/or therapeutic intervention for concerns relating to harmful sexual behaviours. Young people may attend our program from between 3 months to a year.
Our overarching goal is to provide a safe space to process what has occurred, and to build the skills and knowledge needed to engage in safe behaviours and respectful relationships into the future.
When we receive referrals from the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) or the court system, we are required to keep the referrer informed of the young person’s progress and engagement.
Attending sessions regularly is important for the young person to maintain their progress in both assessment and intervention.
We understand that emergencies can occur. Please let us know if the young person is unable to attend the appointment.
If more than three appointments are missed in a row without consultation we will close the young person’s file.
Please let your clinician or their Clinical Lead/Manager know if you do not feel like they are the right fit for you or your child, or if you have any other concerns
Families and/or caregivers of the young people participating in the AWARE program are required to be involved in all aspects of assessment and intervention.
A safety plan is developed in collaboration with the young person and their family and/or support system. A safety plan aims to minimise the possibility of behaviour/s occurring again.
We identify what needs to be different to increase the likelihood of the young person demonstrating behaviours that are safe and respectful.
During the assessment we meet with parents/caregivers and the young person.
With your consent we may request additional information from other services involved.
At the end of the assessment process a report is compiled and intervention goals will be identified
Your clinician will meet with you to review the report, intervention goals and discuss the recommended length of intervention.
Your clinician will begin to work with the young person on the intervention goals.
We will regularly review both the safety plan and the progress towards the goals.
When it has been assessed that the intervention goals have been achieved, closure will commence and a closure report will be written, which provides an overview of the assessment and intervention.
Referral for service can be made by:
Parents/carers of the child or young person;
Community organisations that have active involvement with the child or young person;
Police;
Health professionals;
Schools;
Government Departments and Statutory Authorities, including DHS Child Protection, Disability Services and DET;
Courts.
Quality of service is an important commitment for SECASA. To ensure compliance with health care standards and administration requirements, SECASA managers undertake audits of client files.
SECASA is committed to the safe and respectful handling of personal and health information. The handling of information is managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, the Health Records Act 2001 and other legal obligations.
The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, and the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 govern the sharing of information held by SECASA and privacy obligations.
SECASA is a prescribed information sharing entity under both the Child Information Sharing Scheme and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and may disclose information provided in accordance with those schemes.
Complaints regarding the handling of information should be directed to the manager. If not satisfied with the outcome, a direct complaint can be made to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC), visit website www.ovic.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 006 842.
Information for parents & caregivers
Supervision and Safety Planning
SECASA is the largest family violence and sexual assault service provider across the south-east metropolitan Melbourne.
SECASA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples, and we pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.
We welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex and queer people into SECASA. We pledge to provide inclusive non-discriminatory services to LGBTIQ+ clients.
SECASA acknowledges all victims/survivors of all forms of abuse and neglect.