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Category Archive: Media Release

Archer Magazine Saved From Closure

Like so many community organisations, Archer Magazine faced a tough set of circumstances as Covid-19 pandemic continues deep into its second year.

Archer, an LGBTIQA+ magazine, was founded and run on a shoestring budget by queer journalist and writer Amy Middleton in 2013, along with a small team of LGBTIQA+ community volunteers.

The multi-award-winning magazine sold in 11 countries, and a stalwart in Melbourne’s queer community, is more than just a magazine. Archer has worked to mentor and nurture amateur and established editors, writers and artists from LGBTIQA+ communities, to encourage those who often go unheard, find their voice and share their experiences, and to foster connection across communities. The print and online publication platforms the writing and artwork of marginalised and intersectional LGBTIQA+ people are often left out of the media and broader society.

Archer as a name is bigger than the small machine behind it and is in much need of greater infrastructure to sustain it.  With the impacts of Covid-19, it became untenable, leading Archer to face the tough decision to close the publication due to lack of funds.

Drummond street services, a not-for-profit community service organisation, who play an important role in the lives of diverse communities across Victoria and home to Queerspace, share many aligned values with Archer magazine and have held a strong relationship over the years.

On June 22nd of this year the Drummond Street Services Board of Directors voted to save Archer Magazine with the hope to sustain the publication, expand into areas such as First Nations LGBTIQA+, youth, queers with a disability, and elder forums with additional smaller publications and outreach, as well as build on Archer’s reach, value, and audience with a viable and sustainable business model.

Both Drummond Street Services and Archer Staff are excited to join forces. Whilst retaining Archers’ independence, Drummond Street Service will provide support and assistance in a myriad of ways and will continue to shine a light on the most important voices in our community.


Amy Middleton Said

With the pending doom of closure, it made sense for us to take this step, especially to be supported by an organisation such as Drummond Street who is held in high regard and who holds such similar values to our team and the communities we work with. We see this less an acquisition, more a loving partnership. I am super excited and heartened by the partnership, and so eager to continue to steer Archer into its next chapter.


Karen Field Said

For the Drummond Steet Services Board it was a no-brainer. As the CEO of Drummond Street and Queerspace, I have seen the importance of Archer and the role in plays in LGBTIQA+ communities. Without Archer many voices wouldn’t be heard, and it would be criminal to see that end.


For Comment

email communications@ds.org.au or call 9663 6733 to speak to a representative from either Drummond Street Services or Archer Magazine.

Open Letter to Hon. Matthew Guy

Dear the Honorable Matthew Guy; incumbent opposition leader and leader of the Victorian Liberal party,

We call on you to stand by your commitment, pledging a focus on support for the mental health of young people.  We agree this should be a focus on state and federal governments at this time.

We support your recommendation calling on the government to employ a mental health specialist at every Victorian school, given students have lost up to 151 days of class and have suffered six interrupted terms.

We are pleased that you recognise the importance of the mental health of young Victorians, stating “The shattered mental health of young Victorians is the biggest threat facing our state today,” and “The consequences of lockdowns and social isolation on our students will last a lifetime if we don’t act now.”

We call on you to ensure that this support includes the mental health of young LGBTIQA+ people.

We call on you to repeal your previous rhetoric in regard to trans and gender diverse young people around the Safe Schools debate. We call on you to commit to school-based inclusion and antibullying initiatives such as Safe Schools and revoke previous condonation of the comments of Liberal MP Bernie Finn, describing the Safe Schools anti-bullying program as “a full-frontal assault on the innocence of children and the role of families in society”.

A recent case study by Twenty10 into the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people (16-25 years) across Australia during Covid-19 lockdowns found staggeringly high rates of mental health issues including depression. We have known for some time that due to the complexities around societal pressures, LGBTIQA+ are more at risk of suffering mental illness, and therefore must not be left behind in this commitment.

We look forward to the unveiling of your “positive agenda” in the coming weeks.

Karen Field
CEO Drummond Street Services

Q space: A New LGBTIQA+ Family Counselling Service & Family Support Network to be established across Victoria

Drummond Street Services and its community service partners; (representing rural and regional communities) are thrilled to announce its success in receiving funds from the Victorian State Government to establish a new LGBTIQA+ Family Counselling service over the next four years.

The Qspace network includes Anglicare Victoria (Gippsland, Bendigo/Kyneton), Mallee Family Care (Mildura), Upper Murray Family Care (Wodonga) and Drummond Street Services – Queerspace (Geelong, alongside our existing Melbourne locations).  It is our combined expertise and reach that will ensure this additional counselling support connects with LGBTIQ+ adults and young people and their families within their communities.

Drummond Street Services is leading this program, has long advocated for the need for additional support for LGBTIQA+ people to feel safe, affirmed and connected by both their families and within their local communities.

Since establishing our counselling and groups for LGBTIQA+ people in the 1960’s and our many years of working with and alongside LGBTIQA+ people, we have seen the impacts that family conflict, abuse, rejection, discrimination, and lack of acceptance of people’s identities, including who they are and who they love, can have on people’s longer-term mental health, safety and wellbeing.

Therefore, we are so pleased to expand Queerspace through this Qspace network, to share our knowledge and work with local communities, as a way of offering individuals and families more choice and access to support that affirms them.

The Qspace network will provide specialist family counselling services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, and queer people of all ages, their families, and communities.

Karen Field, CEO of Drummond Street Services & queerspace said:

“It is well-known and accepted that the rates of LGBTIQA+ people with poorer mental health continues to be alarmingly high, often linked to experiences of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, with so many systems and services failing to respond quickly or recognise the unique experiences of LGBTIQA+ people.

Furthermore, emerging from Covid19’s 2020 lockdown we have also seen the mental health impacts on many LGBTIQA+ people escalate.  This is confirmed by our recent research report, ‘There’s no safe place at home: Domestic & Family Violence affecting LGBTIQA+ people (2020), which shows there must be continued investment for both specialised services who have the expertise and knowledge, as well as supporting ‘mainstream’ local services focused engagement for local LGBTIA+ people and families.

The establishment of this Qspace network means that no matter where someone is seeking support, they know it is safe and inclusive.  Demand for this type of family-focused support remains high, the Qspace network is an important contribution in providing more safe supportive spaces, sharing knowledge and local connections”.

New LGBTIQ+ Disabled Peoples Organisation to be established for Victorians

Drummond Street Services are thrilled to be supporting the creation of a new disabled people’s organisation (DPO) for LGBTIQ+ Victorians with disabilities.

The recent investment of a LGBTIQ+ development grant from the Victorian State Government will support the establishment of Inclusive Rainbow Voices (IRV),  a democratic, member-driven, peer-led, representative voice for all LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability.

IRV’s fundamental aims is to meet the peer support and social needs of LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability, connect people through a positive peer support model, to foster self-advocacy skills, and build the capacity of individuals to speak up and for themselves.  This will allow LGBTIQ+ people with a disability  to live more independent, safer, happier lives and where they can participate and are included in LGBTIQ+ and mainstream communities.

The formation of a specialist NFP for and by LGBTIQ+ Victorians with a disability is a first for Victoria.  Our vision is to become the ‘go-to’ organisation for policy guidance, training and research that centres LGBTIQ+ people with a disability. We are immensely excited to raise the voices and profile of LGBTIQ+ people with a disability.

Margherita Coppolino, disability advocate and Drummond Street Service board member said,

“This is an exciting time!  Matthew Bowden will lead the establishment of this long-awaited project and LGBTIQ+ disability communities are lucky to have someone known and respected, with both lived experience and policy and peak body expertise on board! This opportunity creates hope for the future. There is a lot of work to be done and we are looking forward to connecting and nurturing emerging LGBTIQ+ leaders!”

Minister for Equality, Martin Foley quote

“It’s great to be supporting these LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups so they can support and strengthen Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQ+ communities.”

“Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ sector does incredible, life-saving work. By supporting diverse and intersectional groups such as these, we create a stronger LGBTIQ+ community sector.”

Drummond Street Services – Citizen’s Welfare Society (CWS) – Declared as a Participating Institution – National Redress Scheme

drummond street services was notified of a claim to the National Redress Scheme (NRS) several months ago, whilst operating a family foster care program under our previous name: The Citizens Welfare Society (CWS) 1945-1996.

In our public statement and apology to survivors in September 2020, we expressed our shock and sadness that this organisation had potentially caused harm and has an abuse history.  However, we know this is incomparable to the experiences of survivors, their families and loved ones, who experienced abuse and harms from a system of services and institutions that were entrusted with the care and safety of children.

We have had the privilege to support so many survivors over the last several years.  We have seen their pain and their courage, as they have persisted for justice, truth-telling, healing and accountability.

We want to acknowledge survivors’ ongoing strength and resilience. The bravery of survivors who submit their Redress applications, despite its difficulties.  This includes any that name us as an institution that caused harms in our past.

The organisation and its people have helped many people and communities over the years.  This includes our advocacy for those, who far too often remain marginalised or unheard.

However, in the context of the shockingly high numbers of organisations and institutions that have been named is a sad indictment of long-held, historical attitudes and practices, which instead of care and safety was sanctioned abuse and cover-ups.

We understand that survivor communities may look at our existing Support Service through a different lens, therefore the guidance and input of survivors will be of the utmost importance in shaping our future support.

Our commitment to survivor justice and healing is resolute.  However, we need to do more to ensure their trust in us is rightly earnt.

Since being informed of the claim, we commenced the process of signing-up to the NRS, without hesitation. We informed all survivors that we support, as well as our service and community partners.  We will also establish a Survivors Advisory Council to advise us on the future of our services.

This claim strengthens our resolve and commitment to our social justice credentials. Our approach to this claim and our continued work in supporting survivors will be our true test.

As a part of sector, a system and as a community – we must continue to support any pursuit of justice and truth-telling.  This mean honouring the positive work we do, but also to own our pasts and commit with genuine actions to ensure this never happens again.

It means that we all must continue to critically reflect on our practices to ensure we continue to be safe, transparent and accountable.  This will only be achieved by listening, learning and including survivors and those we are privileged to support through genuine input and co-design of services.

We committed to make real amends for survivors, their families and loved ones, both through the National Redress Scheme and exploration of other restorative justice processes.   We also implore that any organisation that has been named to sign-up to the NRS without delay.

We will also provide updates on our website;  www.ds.org.au/citizens -welfare-services-justice-healing.  You can contact us on cwsjustice@ds.org.au or on +61 3 8548 4970 for further information.

All of us at drummond street services again say sorry, for all harms and abuse.

We believe you. We hear you.

We reaffirm our commitment to compassion, healing and the work that needs to be done. We also implore that any organisation that has been named to sign-up to the NRS without delay.

Thank you.

Karen Field – CEO

Alun Jackson – Board President

 

Open Letter to Members of Victorian State Parliament

Drummond street services wish to express our wholehearted gratitude to the Victorian Government for recently introducing a Bill to outlaw damaging conversion practices and call on all Victorian MPs to support the Bill.

We want to thank Daniel Andrews and everybody who played a role in fighting for and contributing to the Bill. As an organisation who works with children and adult survivors whose lives have been gravely impacted by these outdated and harmful conversion practices, we have seen first-hand how damaging these practices are on the mental health of individuals, families, and friends. We have seen how conversion practices not only impact lives of those still with us, but also how far too many lives have been lost because of damaging practices that have been used to deter people from being who they are.

As a part of our practice, we helped reveal during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, that sexual abuse tactics have appallingly been used as a form of conversion practices. This should never have been okay, and in 2020 it is time to do the right thing and ban all forms of conversion practices.

We believe this Bill is important and timely as it confirms that people should feel no pressure to change who they are, that they are accepted and supported and that they have a right to be their true selves without anybody trying to change that. In line with the Victorian government’s Equal Opportunity Act 2010 we affirm the right for LGBTIQA+ people have the right to safety from the discrimination inherent in conversion practices and the right for redress if subjected to them.

We call on all Victorian MPs to support this bill and pass it to help improve the lives of LGBTIQA+ and those who may be questioning their gender or sexuality. Whilst we realise that we have a long way to go to get rid of discrimination fully, this Bill is a great step towards ending the incredible harm caused by attempted LGBTIQA+ conversion practices.

Whilst we encourage members of parliament to support this bill, we must also express disappointment that forced medical interventions on people born with intersex variations is not included as a form of conversion practices and encourage this to be included as an amendment to the bill as the rights of people with intersex variations should not be excluded.

Sincerely,

Karen Field

CEO drummond street services & queerspace

New research finds LGBTIQ+ Victorians have faced increased risk of family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

A report commissioned by Respect Victoria has found that LGBTIQ+ Victorians, particularly those experiencing health, social and economic inequalities, have faced increased challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the risk of family violence.

Conducted by drummond street’s Centre for Family Research and Evaluation in partnership with The Gender And Disaster Pod (GAD Pod) the research was commissioned to gain an understanding of the impact of disasters on LGBTIQ+ communities with a focus on family violence prevention.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams said the Andrews Labor Government was proud to support the research.

“It’s vital we understand the impacts of such disasters on different communities so we can better tailor our support and systems in the future,” she said.

“We must work together as a community to call out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and the harmful attitudes and behaviours that can lead to family violence.”

The research was carried out between June and September 2020 and encompasses interviews with LGBTIQ+ community members and service providers.

“LGBTIQ+ people are experiencing multiple and compounding forms of discrimination during the pandemic,” said drummond street Chief Executive Officer Karen Field.

“This project responds to a gap in knowledge around the impact of disasters on marginalised communities and is designed to support the development of family violence primary prevention policies, programs and resources to support LGBTIQ+ people in disaster and emergency situations,” Ms Field said.

The study found that LGBTIQ+ young people are facing multiple layers of disadvantage, particularly those who moved home with family due to economic circumstances.

One participant said: “Being stuck at home, it’s been challenging because I live with my family – and I’m not out to all of my family members. It feels like I’m kind of back in the closet.”

“It’s extremely important that both family violence and disaster planning, and recovery policies and programs acknowledge the impacts of disasters on LGBTIQ+ people, including increased risk of LGBTIQ+ family violence,” said Liam Leonard from the GAD Pod.

Researchers found that trans and gender diverse people are also facing increased vulnerabilities, as are those experiencing overlapping systems of discrimination based on race, ability and age.

Issues highlighted included decreased mental health, increased community surveillance, racism, restrictions on access to gender-affirming medical services, and job losses.

“The pandemic has highlighted and amplified family violence risks globally, and this report evidences increased risk of family violence for LGBTIQ+ people,” said Respect Victoria Chair Melanie Eagle.

Family violence can occur in all relationships, including LGBTIQ+ relationships and families of origin.

“We can all take responsibility for addressing harmful behaviours that lead to discrimination and inequality,” said Respect Victoria CEO Tracey Gaudry.

“Small actions can include calling out slurs or language that stigmatise LGBTIQ+ people, addressing gender stereotypes that might exist in your home or workplace, and talking to kids early about pronouns and identities,” said Ms Gaudry.

Research participants highlighted a few silver linings, including increased access to support services online and improved connections to communities. This was particularly important for LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities and those living outside of major cities.

One participant said: “I feel really connected in, and I’m hoping that some of that can remain, because I don’t feel so alone now living in a rural town away from a lot of people.”

The report includes several recommendations to inform Respect Victoria’s work on the primary prevention of family violence in LGBTIQ+ communities.

Citizens Welfare Services of Victoria (CWS) Statement & Apology to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse

drummond street services signs-up to the National Redress Scheme, commitment to accountability, justice and healing

September 29, 2020

It is with sadness, shock and distress, that we have been advised that our organisation, operating historically under the name; Citizens Welfare Services of Victoria (CWS) has likely to have caused harm and abuse.

This has been devastating and confronting for the organisation and the staff, but this is incomparable to the abuse, harm and distress experienced by someone and all survivors and their families.  We also want to acknowledge the strength and bravery of the survivor that has submitted an application, and to all survivors.

Throughout our 133-year history of supporting communities, the organisation has evolved to respond to the community’s changing needs, to reflect broader societal changes and movements to ensure our services remained relevant to the very people we aim to support.

In 1887, the Charity Organisation Society of Melbourne was established. Thereafter renamed – Citizens Welfare Service of Victoria (CWS) in 1947, continuing under this banner until 1996, where it commenced operating as the Drummond Street Relationship Centre, and with our current operating name – drummond street services since 2010.

Having our own long history operating in a sector and part of a welfare system, which through the Royal Commission of Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse has showed the far reaching and shocking accounts of abuse, criminal behaviour, cover-ups and utter dereliction of a duty to care.  We have seen and heard first-hand the lifelong impacts of trauma.

We have had the privilege of working alongside so many courageous survivors, their families and loved ones. We have supported survivor’s advocacy, amplified their voices, listened and learned from them and most importantly – believed them.

This includes having our Survivors Support Team with staff that have their own lived experiences of abuse and healing.  Their guidance and knowledge, along with our clients and their families, has been essential as part of ensuring a safe, respectful and empowering service. Survivor’s stories, experiences, strength and healing continue to guide our behaviours now and into the future.

Our organisation at all levels; Board, management and staff, both professionally and personally are deeply connected and committed to supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice, accountability and healing, as always defined and led by the survivors themselves.  We do this in the knowledge that for some of us, “they are us”.

We will ensure that the organisation takes all efforts to accept responsibility for this harm and be led and guided by survivors.  Currently we are in the process of signing up to the National Redress Scheme as a participating institution.   We also understand the importance for survivors to access records and historical documents and we are taking all steps to facilitate this access.  We will also develop, to the best of our abilities, a transparent and trauma-informed restorative justice process for those who are unable to access the National Redress Scheme.

We will be undertaking these processes supported by, and in consultation, with survivors, as part of our sustained commitment to centering and valuing their voices.

We understand that survivor communities may look at our existing Support Service through a different lens, which may mean that we need to change how we offer support to survivors.  What will never change – is our commitment to survivor justice and healing, and for organisations or institutions – no matter who or what they are – to sign up to the National Redress Scheme as soon as possible and to accept accountability and make real amends for survivors, their families and loved ones.

Further information on how to access information will continue to be updated on our website;  www.ds.org.au/citizens -welfare-services-justice-healing you can contact us on cwsjustice@ds.org.au or on +61 3 8548 4970.

All of us at drummond street services again say sorry, for any and all harms and abuse. We believe you. We hear you. We make a commitment to compassion, healing and the work that needs to be done.

Karen Field, Chief Executive Officer

Professor Alun Jackson, President

drummond street services statement on NDIS Scheme changes

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government funded support scheme that is available to Australian permanent residents and citizens with disabilities to provide support in their lives. Some examples of the types of things the NDIS may help with can be from mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters to home modifications such as ramps, railings, bathroom/kitchen modifications, as well as support workers to assist people to get tasks done and to support people get out and about in the community. The NDIS may also provide you with transport funding for taxis.

A review into the NDIS called The Tune Review recommended significant changes to the NDIS, which will impact how people with disabilities will be assessed for eligibility to the scheme and the supports they may receive.

It recommended people with disabilities should use NDIS approved ‘independent’ assessors. It’s important to note that the review also stated that ‘this change in approach will require consultation with participants, the disability sector, service providers and the NDIS workforce’. This consultation has not happened, and disability advocates are rightfully worried.

Currently, to access the NDIS, you need to provide evidence for your disabilities and how they impact your life. This evidence, which can be in the form of letters or reports from your queer friendly GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, mental health professionals or other specialist of your choosing. Being able to choose which type of health professional provides you with letters of support is very important. It is particularly important for marginalised people who need professionals who respect and understand their identities, cultures and how disability uniquely impacts them and the communities they are part of. The letters of support form a vital part of outlining to the NDIS who you are, what your disabilities are, and what supports you might need.

Under the new assessment model, the health professionals you might have previously chosen will not be able to support you, instead, the NDIS will fund organisations to provide these assessments. The assessors will be health professionals, such as, occupational therapists or psychologists. They will utilise standard assessment tools decided by the NDIS. The assessment will take between 1 to 4 hours, this time will also include writing up a report on you.

You will not be able to see the report or correct if they haven’t captured something about you or your circumstance correctly. This assessment determines the amount and types of support you are given; and if you are provided with access to the NDIS in the first place. This is not very transparent, or participant focused.

The catchcry of the NDIS has been ‘providing choice and control in the lives of people with disabilities’, which means that people with disabilities should be able to decide what they need, how and when. This takes away your power and places it in the hands of people who do not know the person and are not experts in their specific disabilities.

drummond street services opposes the introduction of independent assessments in the NDIS, which will come into play for anyone entering the scheme by February 2021 and people currently receiving the NDIS by July 2021. We believe this will impact marginalised people with disabilities (LGBTIQA+, POC, First Nations People) disproportionately as people who don’t know the individual, have very little to no understanding of their lived experience and the communities they are from, will be deciding what supports they receive.

Karen Field, CEO of drummond street services said “We believe the purpose of these changes are to reduce the cost of the NDIS by reducing eligibility for the scheme and pushing people out of the NDIS.  It’s always the case that when governments want to cut costs, the most vulnerable people are impacted. We need to stand against this”

Jax Jacki Brown, drummond street staff member and disability advocate said “We believe the proposed assessment process will see less people who require essential funding being provided with it. We are concerned that people will be denied access to equipment and supports which are fundamental to their wellbeing and participation in the community. We believe the process itself has the potential to be undignified, unjust and humiliating for people with disability.”

We call on NDIS Minister Stuart Robert to do everything in his power to repeal the independent assessment process and replace it with a fairer process where peoples eligibility is assessed on an individual basis, instead of a standardised process, which we have seen fail miserably in the past when it comes to disability access to Centrelink payments.

Useful Links

Stage 3 COVID restrictions: We are here to support you

From July 8 – all metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire return to Stage 3 public health restrictions, until Wednesday 19 August 2020.  If you live in these areas there are only 4 reasons you can leave home.

  1. Shopping for food and other essential items
  2. To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or seeking medical advice
  3. For exercise (outdoor only, with one other person or members of your household)
  4. To work or study, if you cannot work or study from home

drummond street services remains open- providing all our support services and programming via our online and phone.  Updates will be posted on our websites and social media channels.

As always, we remain committed to support people, led by communities and needs of individuals and of families.  We continue to adapt our programs to be creative, innovative and useful to help stay connected.  We know this important at this time, more than ever.

drummond street services continues to express our solidarity with communities living in the housing estates in hard lockdown. We recognise the strength and determination shown by the public housing residents of Flemington and North Melbourne, and across all public housing estates in Melbourne.  We have had the privilege for many years to work with these communities and residents, alongside them and for them.

This does not change.

Nor should the advocacy and the genuine listening and amplifying the voices of these communities for real and genuine change and to shape services and the support needed as part of building back better.   This includes urgent action to the public housing crisis and the investment in more social and community housing.

We maintain our connection with residents and community members, continuing to provide support with food, essential items, advocacy, along with emotional, mental health and wellbeing support for all families.

Contact drummond street services on 96636733 or at enquiries@ds.org.au  or go to our website www.ds.org.au for further information and if you need support

Contact the drum youth services through reception or at youthservices@ds.org.au. Instagram and Facebook @thedrumyouthservices

Contact WithRespect for LGBTIQ family violence support 1800 LGBTIQ

Victoria legal aid has established a dedicated line providing free legal information and advice for Victorians. Available M-F 8am – 6pm 1800 113 432 or  https://www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centre

We will make it through this again.

Our communities have shown time and time again their resilience and strength.   You aren’t alone drummond street services isn’t going anywhere, we are here to support you, please reach out when you need it.