The 鈥淒V Needs Public Services鈥� campaign is calling for a coordinated, publicly delivered system that ensures consistent, accountable, and effective support for victim-survivors, replacing the current fragmented approach.

To strengthen this work, we are inviting all members from Child Protection and Permanency to attend a member meeting to discuss the campaign, share insights from the workplace, and identify actions we can take together.

础驳别苍诲补:听听听

• Provide an overview of the 色狼社区DV campaign and its objectives
• Discuss key issues affecting members working in DFV and related services
• Gather member feedback to inform campaign strategy and advocacy
• Identify opportunities for member involvement, mobilisation and local action
• This campaign is about positioning domestic and family violence response as a core public service responsibility, ensuring the system is properly resourced, integrated, and accountable
• Your voice and experience is essential for shaping this work. By attending, you will help ensure the campaign reflects the realities of frontline workers and delivers meaningful reform
• We strongly encourage all members to attend and have your say

Save the Dates! Your union, the PSA, will visit Community Services Centres as follows:

ArmidaleCommunity Service Centre

Date Monday 10 August 2026

Time 12:00pm-1:00pm

Location: In person at Armidale聽Community Service Centre Conference Room, and via MS Teams (link below, all members are welcome to jump on regardless of location or role)

Meeting ID 431 268 978 296 735

Passcode GR7kt7QE

Inverell Community Service Centre

Date Tuesday 11 August 2026

Time 12:00pm-1:00pm

Location In person at Inverell Community Service Centre in the meeting room and via MS Teams (link below, all embers are welcome to jump on regardless of location or role)

Meeting ID 428 758 084 514 954

Passcode Kp9KV9Pg

Narrabri Community Service Centre

Date Wednesday 12 August 2026

Time 10:00am-11:00am (morning tea)

Location In person at Narrabri Community Service Centre in tea room and via MS Teams (link below, all members are welcome to jump on regardless of location or role)

Meeting ID 471 198 834 848 062

Passcode 6iq36nm2

Moree Community Service Centre

Date聽Wednesday 12 August 2026

Time 12:30pm-1:30pm

Location In person at Moree Community Service Centre Conference Room and via MS Teams (link below, all members are welcome to jump on regardless of location or role)

Meeting ID 463 348 044 547 258

Passcode 9WC6M7fR

Tamworth Community Service Centre

Date Thursday 13 August 2026

Time 12:00pm-1:00pm

Location In person at Tamworth Community Service Centre and via MS Teams (link below, all members are welcome to jump on regardless of location or role)

Meeting ID 416 429 932 856 249

Passcode kh74yH7e

The post Child Protection and Permanency Community Service Centre 色狼社区meetings: Domestic Violence Needs Public Services campaign appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

You can access the updated policy .

The new policy reflects an evolving understanding of the impact of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and a need for strong workplace support systems in several ways:

• Greater detail in the definition 鈥� recognising a wider range of behaviours as abusive (emotional, financial and digital rather than just physical), as well as details on the impact of DFV on a diverse range of experiences, such as LGBTQIA+ people, people with a disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Expanded workplace support 鈥� increase in leave provisions (reflecting leave enhancements that were increased in 2022 with Determination No 5 of 2022 Support for Employees Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence), more detailed guidelines for workplace safety and WHS obligations around safety in the workplace.
• Broader focus on creating a trauma informed workplace culture
• More information on the need for training for managers and staff to identify signs of DFV
• Stronger emphasis on employee privacy and confidentiality and recording of data
• Provisions for employees supporting a family member experiencing DFV
• Guidelines on how to respond to an employee showing signs of experiencing DFV.

The 色狼社区does have concerns about the introduction of a new requirement around evidence that has been added to the policy after consultation that is not in the 2022 determination and have raised our concerns with Public Sector Industrial Relations (PSIR). The new policy states evidence is required when an employee accesses more than five consecutive days of DFV leave and more than 10 days in a calendar year. However, the determination which contains the leave entitlement states an approving manager should use discretion when asking for evidence and should only require evidence in exceptional circumstances.

The policy does however state that it is an employee’s choice whether, when and to whom they disclose information about experiencing domestic violence. It further states 鈥淎n employee may not feel safe or comfortable disclosing their experience of domestic and family violence to their direct manager and may seek the assistance of an alternative manager, their union representative, their HR or People and Culture teams to apply for the leave. Any information shared with the employer is required to be treated with confidentiality and sensitivity, and cannot be shared in the workplace, on payslips or rosters.

Members who have issues with accessing DFV leave or other support in their workplace in relation to experiencing DFV, should contact their union on 1800 772 679 or by email to membersupport@psa.asn.au

Support Policy is welcome, but greater funding certainty needed

Whilst both State and Federal Governments have announced funding aimed at preventing violence before it starts and supporting victim survivors, it is vital that this funding is used effectively to assist victim survivors.聽 Frontline services, such as the government-led Mount Druitt Family Violence Service, need to be expanded and supported.

In October, the NSW Government had announced its intention to transition the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service from a government-led model to delivery by non-government organisations effective 1 July 2026. Whilst 色狼社区CPSU NSW General Secretary Stewart Little took immediate action on behalf of members and delegates, and the decision was reversed, it is vital that this government-led model is not only protected, but expanded by rolling out similar Family Violence Services across the state.

If you or someone you know need any support or further information about domestic and family violence, remember you can access this through our website.

The post Domestic and Family Violence Workplace Support Policy appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

You can access the updated policy .

The new policy reflects an evolving understanding of the impact of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and a need for strong workplace support systems in several ways:

• Greater detail in the definition 鈥� recognising a wider range of behaviours as abusive (emotional, financial and digital rather than just physical), as well as details on the impact of DFV on a diverse range of experiences, such as LGBTQIA+ people, people with a disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Expanded workplace support 鈥� increase in leave provisions (reflecting leave enhancements that were increased in 2022 with Determination No 5 of 2022 Support for Employees Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence), more detailed guidelines for workplace safety and WHS obligations around safety in the workplace.
• Broader focus on creating a trauma informed workplace culture
• More information on the need for training for managers and staff to identify signs of DFV
• Stronger emphasis on employee privacy and confidentiality and recording of data
• Provisions for employees supporting a family member experiencing DFV
• Guidelines on how to respond to an employee showing signs of experiencing DFV.

The 色狼社区does have concerns about the introduction of a new requirement around evidence that has been added to the policy after consultation that is not in the 2022 determination and have raised our concerns with Public Sector Industrial Relations (PSIR). The new policy states evidence is required when an employee accesses more than five consecutive days of DFV leave and more than 10 days in a calendar year. However, the determination which contains the leave entitlement states an approving manager should use discretion when asking for evidence and should only require evidence in exceptional circumstances.

The policy does however state that it is an employee’s choice whether, when and to whom they disclose information about experiencing domestic violence. It further states 鈥淎n employee may not feel safe or comfortable disclosing their experience of domestic and family violence to their direct manager and may seek the assistance of an alternative manager, their union representative, their HR or People and Culture teams to apply for the leave. Any information shared with the employer is required to be treated with confidentiality and sensitivity, and cannot be shared in the workplace, on payslips or rosters.

Members who have issues with accessing DFV leave or other support in their workplace in relation to experiencing DFV, should contact their union on 1800 772 679 or by email to membersupport@psa.asn.au

Support Policy is welcome, but greater funding certainty needed

Whilst both State and Federal Governments have announced funding aimed at preventing violence before it starts and supporting victim survivors, it is vital that this funding is used effectively to assist victim survivors.聽 Frontline services, such as the government-led Mount Druitt Family Violence Service, need to be expanded and supported.

In October, the NSW Government had announced its intention to transition the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service from a government-led model to delivery by non-government organisations effective 1 July 2026. Whilst 色狼社区CPSU NSW General Secretary Stewart Little took immediate action on behalf of members and delegates, and the decision was reversed, it is vital that this government-led model is not only protected, but expanded by rolling out similar Family Violence Services across the state.

If you or someone you know need any support or further information about domestic and family violence, remember you can access this through our website.

The post Domestic and Family Violence Workplace Support Policy appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

If you are a public servant worker and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you are entitled to a day off to participate in NAIDOC celebrations. The Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009 provides for the following leave arrangements:

Special Leave

84.9 A staff member who identifies as an Indigenous Australian shall be granted up to one day special leave per year to enable the staff member to participate in the National Aborigines and Islander Day of Commemoration Celebrations. Leave can be taken at any time during NAIDOC week, or in the weeks leading up to and after NAIDOC week as negotiated between the supervisor and staff member.

If you are having difficulty accessing leave, or would like advice on any other workplace issue, please remember, the 色狼社区CPSU NSW is YOUR UNION and we are here to help. Contact your local delegate or the Member Support Centre, for assistance 鈥� 1800 772 679 or via email membersupport@psa.asn.au

The post NAIDOC Week 2024: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – Sunday 7 鈥� Sunday 14 July 2024 appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

The 色狼社区will continue to advocate for improvements in the Governments response to Domestic and Family Violence, within workplaces and also by lobbying them directly.

Last night we attended the Unions NSW Trades and Labor Council Meeting on the issue of Unions Taking Action on Men鈥檚 Violence against Women, which was arranged by Unions NSW to coordinate a response from unions to the crisis.

It was acknowledged that unions have a long history in fighting for gender equality and have campaigned tirelessly to improve support for all victims of violence. The 色狼社区has been at the forefront of these campaigns, with historic gains for women members such as the Librarians Pay Equity Case in 2002 and the Schools Pay Equity Case in 2019.

At the meeting the 色狼社区moved a motion that Unions Taking Action on Men鈥檚 Violence Against Women be a standing item on the Unions NSW Executive agenda. The 色狼社区will also participate in the Unions NSW working group to develop a strategy in support of our campaign and members will be kept updated.

The post Domestic and Family Violence Leave Survey Results appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

Many of our members, working in a wide range of different NSW public sector agencies, are directly involved in the provision of services for the community who need support due to domestic and family violence, and deal with the impacts of this violence in their working lives on a daily basis.

As part of the advocacy your union does in lobbying the Government for desperately needed resources in this space, we would like to get an understanding of what our members know about the different entitlements, services and support available for those experiencing Domestic and Family Violence.

You can assist us with this by completing the survey

If you require support in relation to domestic and family violence, please visit our Family and Domestic Violence Support pages to access information and/or request for assistance.

The post Domestic and Family Violence 鈥� would you know where to get help? appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

Your union has long been at the forefront of fighting for stronger support mechanisms for workers to escape volatile family and dangerous domestic situations.

The 色狼社区and its sister federal union the Community and Public Sector Union (State Public Sector Federation Group) were the first union to secure, in a collective agreement, the right for paid Domestic Violence Leave at the University of NSW in 2011.

This entitlement has since been increased in several institutions and public sector agencies and was eventually implemented in the Crown Employees Conditions Award as five days Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) leave.

In 2018 the union made representations to the Government which had this extended to 10 days paid leave through the Premier鈥檚 Public Service Determination 2018-03 Support for Employees Experiencing FDV.

This year, Federal Parliament passed a bill that enshrined 10 days paid FDV Leave as a workplace right for every worker in Australia in the National Employment Standards. This would not have come about without the previous decade of campaigning by the union movement and activists.

Further advocacy from your union led to the announcement in September this year that the NSW Government has extended family and domestic violence leave provisions to 20 days paid leave per calendar year from 1聽January 2023, including casual workers.

There is still much work to be done to make women safer from violence, and the union has made recommendations to the government for better support services, better funding for short-term accommodation and five days supporter leave for people supporting a family or friend through domestic and family violence. We also continue to advocate for better ways to support those accessing the leave such as protection of personal information and requirements to provide evidence.

If you or someone you know, you can access a wide range of information and links to services that can provide you support on the 色狼社区website:聽Domestic Violence – Public Service Association.

The post International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2022 appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

PSA鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Council has been discussing and working on how to support members experiencing domestic violence (DV) since its election in late 2019. This is particularly important now, as DV helplines including those staffed by 色狼社区members have experienced a rapid increase in calls as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our Union continues to put programs in place for members and will continue to update as more come online. If you need support or help, 色狼社区has provided a landing place for you to find services and answers.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED SOMEONE MAY BE MONITORING YOUR INTERNET USE, start HERE 聽and follow our 鈥榟ow to browse anonymously鈥� guide.

You can see a list of services available HERE. As well as helplines and services you can access, you can also see if your employer provides domestic violence leave.

色狼社区strongly encourages any member who is experiencing domestic or family violence to access the professional services we鈥檝e collected together for you. We can help you access your leave (if you have an entitlement) if it is denied by your employer- you can contact your MSC HERE. There may be other 色狼社区services available to you, so please discuss them with your delegate, Women鈥檚 Councillor, organiser, or your MSC 1800 772 679.

The post 色狼社区supporting members during Covid and beyond appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

The NSW Domestic Violence Line provides trained counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence.

Visit

The post Domestic Violence Line appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.

Visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance

The post Commonwealth Rental Assistance appeared first on 色狼社区CPSU NSW.