Thanks to your donations, more individuals in the Colac region who have experienced sexual assault can receive specialised therapeutic trauma counselling and crisis support.
A grant of $30,000 from the Give Where You Live Foundation in 2016 helped Barwon CASA purchase a new vehicle, allowing the team to visit Colac Area Health two days a week and provide counselling and case management support for people who have been impacted by sexual and family violence. The enhanced local service has also decreased the need for residents from Colac to travel to Geelong for counselling.
“Having Barwon CASA come to Colac is like a lifeline for a better future. When you are feeling vulnerable, it seems too hard to travel to Geelong for sexual assault support services,” says Amanda* a client living in the Colac region.
The car has also given Barwon CASA the flexibility to connect with other service organisations in the area – particularly Colac Secondary College and the Department of Health & Human Services Child Protection Unit.
Rose Salvo of Colac Area Health says, “The presence of CASA in Colac allows individuals from the district direct access to a specialised service at an extremely difficult time in their lives. Having a visiting service means that individuals experiencing significant trauma do not have to travel longer distances to receive information and support. It means that they can retain some control throughout this process and feel much less isolated through this experience. Having CASA services available in Colac facilitates connection and enhances positive outcomes for individuals”.