Program areas at Hepatitis C Victoria
Hepatitis C Victoria provides a variety of services to support both our members, those in the general community affected by hepatitis C, and health care workers in a number of metro and rural environments, including community health centres, drug and alcohol agencies, correctional services and schools.
Our core services include: education and training; the Hep C Infoline; written information and resources and advice on policy development and research projects.
Our key areas of support include -
Campaign and Advocacy Program
Young People's Program
Cultural Diversity Program
Indigenous Program
Prisons Program
Communications and Publications
Community Participation
CAMPAIGN AND ADVOCACY
Stigma and discrimination is a pressing issue for many people with hepatitis C and can have a wide-ranging impact on both their own health as well as the community as a whole. When people feel stigmatised, it may affect their ability to access the services that they need.
It is illegal is Australia to discriminate against anybody on the basis of their hepatitis C status. However, many people with hepatitis C continue to report facing negative attitudes and suspicion within their communities and this may lead to them choosing not to disclose their hepatitis C status, keeping hepatitis C hidden in the community.
Hepatitis C Victoria works to stop the stigma related to hepatitis C by striving to educate the community about the virus and to empower people with hepatitis C to become self-advocates and to redress any discrimination they may have experienced – including working with them for the duration of any legal cases.
Hepatitis C Victoria provides training with a focus on stigma, discriminatory practices, and best practice around hepatitis C in relation to infection control procedures and OH&S guidelines.
Hepatitis C Victoria also provides advice and expertise to government and other influential bodies on matters relating to hepatitis C.
For more information about our campaign and advocacy program, contact Pier on 03 9385 9103
YOUNG PEOPLE'S PROGRAM
The Young People's Program developes the capacity of services to prevent hepatitis C transmissions amongst young people. The sessions explore barriers to engaging with young people, identify opportunities and frameworks to provide hepatitis C interventions and support and guidance to develop hepatitis C sensitive policies. The program is paying particular attention to delivering training to organisations working with young people in contact with Youth Justice, Child Protection and drug and alcohol agencies. Other key activities include working schools, with young people from culturally diverse backgrounds and building a young women's peer education program to work in collaboration with the Educators.
For more information about our Young Person’s program, contact Emily on 03 9385 9105.
STATEWIDE CULTURAL DIVERSITY PROGRAM
Because of proactive efforts over the last 20 years, Australia has a relatively low prevalence of hepatitis C. However, or people coming to Australia from other countries, the risk may be high due to reasons like mass immunisation programs, unsterile medical procedures, and a lack of needle syringe programs.
Hepatitis C Victoria’s Cultural Diversity Program has been developed to respond to key issues affecting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD).
We strive to develop prevention strategies that are culturally sensitive and work directly with CALD communities to provide information and training that is sensitive to the community’s culture, religion and traditions.
Click this link to view the List for CALD Referral Services
For more information about our Cultural Diversity program, contact Alex on 03 9385 9104
INDIGENOUS PROGRAM
Indigenous communities in Victoria continue to be affected by hepatitis C. Hepatitis C Victoria is working with a wide range of Aboriginal and community organisations to spread the hepatitis C message and break down some of the stigmas associated with hepatitis C.
Our indigenous educator liaises with Aboriginal communities throughout the state, as well as with indigenous people in the prison system, to talk with them about health issues that affect indigenous Victorians – providing support to indigenous workers in the field and also making sure that Hepatitis C Victoria’s messages are culturally appropriate and relevant.
For more information about our Indigenous Program, contact Kim on 03 9385 9106.
PRISONS PROGRAM
Hepatitis C Victoria’s Prisons Program endeavours to meet the specific needs and requirements of each prison through regular prison visits and the provision of education and information resources.
Our major goal is to develop intervention strategies to increase awareness of hepatitis C and minimise the risk of transmission amongst people living and working in the 13 prisons across Victoria.
The work undertaken in prisons includes: training of prison staff, facilitating prisoner discussion groups, 1-on-1 prisoner support, youth groups and special projects.
There is a special emphasis on involving both prisoners and staff in the developing appropriate health promotion messages, resources and projects.
For more information about our prisons program, contact Kirk on 03 9385 9108.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Our quarterly newsletter "Good Liver' is the main line of contact between Hepatitis C Victoria and its members. If you have an experience or story about hepatitis C you would like to share - contact our communications coordinator, Ray Hehr on 9380 4644.
Hepatitis C Victoria also publishes two electronic newsletters:
Liver Spot: is for general news and information about our organisation.
Viral Low Down: Includes all the latest research into hepatitis C, best practices, education and training forums.
To subscribe to either or both of these newsletters contact Halo Jones: 03) 9380 4644 or email: admin@hepcvic.org.au.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The Community Participation Program encompasses coordination of the HepC Infoline, community participation activities and support services. Garry is the first point of call for our members and for people the community seeking hepatitis C information, support and referrals. Garry also facilitates the metro support group.