Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault
WestCASA is a community based not-for-profit sexual assault counselling service operating in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne for the past 31 years.
WestCASA provides a 24 hour crisis care service in conjunction with the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL).
WestCASA aims to both facilitate the recovery and healing of victim/survivors of sexual assault and work toward the elimination of sexual violence in society. The service vision is for a world where everyone lives free from the fear of sexual violence.
To achieve this vision, WestCASA provides a range of post-trauma and community education services, including:
- Crisis care for recent victims/survivors of sexual assault in partnership with the Victorian Police Sexual offences and Child Abuse Investigation
- Team (SOCIT) from Footscray and Western Health through Sunshine Hospital’s Emergency Department.
- Counselling for victims/survivors of sexual assault, their families, partners and friends.
- Advocacy and referral for victims/survivors of sexual assault
- Telephone support and information.
- Group work.
- Secondary and clinical consultation with other professionals working with victims/survivors of sexual assault
- Education and training for the community, professionals, groups and agencies in the Western region.
WestCASA is a member of Sexual Assault Services Victoria.
Sexual Assault Services Victoria (formerly CASA Forum) is the newly expanded peak body for sexual assault and harmful sexual behaviour services in Victoria. For over 35 years our members have provided a range of sexual assault counselling, crisis and support services to adults, young people and children who have experienced sexual assault and their family members; and children and young people presenting with harmful sexual behaviours.
All Victorian government funded sexual assault services have joined forces to help shape trauma informed, person centred and best practice responses to sexual assault. Our combined expertise will continue to inform our advocacy with government and other stakeholders in driving sexual assault prevention, response, policy development and investment.
WestCASA is an HDAA Australia Pty Ltd certified organisation. Achievement of Certification to the Human Service Standards and ISO9001:2015 provides service users with confidence that WestCASA have effective management systems in place that are regularly reviewed.
West CASA is committed to providing high quality services that meet client requirements, statutory and regulatory requirements, and the organisation’s own requirements. The Board, management and staff of WestCASA are committed to providing high quality sexual assault and related family violence counselling and advocacy services through supporting people who have experienced sexual assault and related family violence to make informed decisions about all medical, legal and social processes, and advocating on their behalf.
WestCASA Board Chair: Natasha Smith
WestCASA Interim CEO: Annette Vickery
WestCASA appoints first Indigenous female CEO Annette Vickery
This is a historic appointment of the first Indigenous Chief Executive Officer to the CASA network, demonstrating the WestCASA Board’s commitment to elevating the voices of First Nations women.
Annette is an experienced senior Executive and proud Gunditjmara woman, living and working on the land of the Wurundjeri peoples.
Annette is passionate about facilitating positive change that empowers people and organisations to improve outcomes for their community and brings extensive experience across community, government and university academic settings.
Most recently having served as CEO of Thirrili Ltd, the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postvention Service in Australia, Annette also holds roles as Chairperson of Tweddle Family and Community Services, member of the Lowitja Institute and has held the role of Chairperson, Western Metropolitan Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee. She has an active interest in social justice and human rights.
This is a truly momentous moment for the support of victim survivors across Melbourne’s Western suburbs.
