Victorian Safe Communities Network Inc
Announcement:
Upcoming VSCN conference 2011
Young people, risk and resilience: The challenges of Alcohol, drugs and violence 7-8 March 2011 RACV Club, Melbourne, Victoria
Brochure and Call for Abstracts (PDF)
Injury (intentional and unintentional) in our homes, at work and school, during sport and leisure activities, on the road and in public places is a significant cause of death, illness and disability in our community. The harm from injury particulary affects children and young adults.
Injuries are the largest single cause of death in the persons aged 1-44 years in Victoria and a major cause of morbidity (illness) and disability. Social factors such as socioeconomics statue (SES) are increasingly being viewed as fundamental causes of premature death and illness and there is a growing body of evidence linking residential location with health outcomes.
Most of these deaths and injuries are preventable. The Victorian Safe Communities Network (VSCN) is dedicated to making Victoria a safer place in which to live, work and play.
VSCN is a forum for practitioners, researchers, government and state-wide agencies working in areas such as community based injury prevention and community safety promotion. Issues covered by VSCN member organisations include farm, home, road, workplace and sports injury prevention and child and seniors safety. Crime and violence issues include crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), safety in public spaces and venues, domestic and public violence and drug and alcohol harm minimisation. The general members of the Network meet quarterly and an executive committee meets bi-monthly.
The main functions of the VSCN are:
- Mutual support and communication
- Exchange of information on effective interventions and useful resources
- Diffusion of best practice in community safety
- Advocacy on injury prevention and community safety issues to the government and the community.
VISION
The VSCN is recognised as the leading community safety organisation in Victoria.
MISSION
The VSCN will provide leadership for community safety efforts in Victoria.
INTRODUCTION
The Victorian Safe Communities Network (VSCN) is an association, incorporated in Victoria, whose principal role is to support practitioners, researchers and policymakers working in community safety in Victoria.
Our strength is the passion, energy and commitment of the diverse range of professionals, volunteers and communities striving for the common goal of a Safer Victoria. The diversity of our membership combined with our safety partners ensures that our focus remains broad and inclusive of differing approaches to enhance safety in Victoria.
This, the second VSCN strategic pain, expresses the objectives of the network for 2008-2010 and builds upon the foundation of the achievements of the past.
Development of the plan involved the collaborative effort of over 30 VSCN members at a facilitated planning workshop in early 2007, and was written and edited by Jan Shield and James Sherry in consultation with the elected VSCN Executive Committee.
Sincere thanks are due to the VSCN members who so willingly contributed their time and expertise at the planning workshop, facilitated by Kris Honey of KNH Consulting.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The VSCN subscribes to the following principles of excellence in community safety practice, research and policy.
Intersectoral and Interdisciplinary- our network recognise and respects the contribution of the diverse disciplines and sectors that are involved in community safety.
Collaborative- we understand that by working together collaboratively, our diverse safety stakeholders than by working in isolation.
Interactive- the network provides members and our safety partners with opportunities to interact and critically analyse current issues in the community safety field.
Promotional- we focus on positivity promoting the concept of safety and supporting best practice in safety promotion.
Evidence based- we encourage and support efforts to build and work from a strong evidence base while recognising that for some members the call to action is strong.
BACKGROUND
The Victorian Safe Communities Network (VSCN) was established in 1996, during the fifth International Conference on Safe Communities held in Victoria, Hume City Council (formally Shire of Bulla) and the Latrobe Shire were designated as World Helath Organisation Safe Communities at this time and were the first municipalities in Australia to become WHO- designated Safe Communities.
The purpose of the VSCN is to encourage government and community to work collaboratively on public safety, crime and violence, and injury prevention. The social and financial benefits are accrued by addressing both intentional and unintentional injury within the guiding principles of healthy public policy, community participation and intersectoral collaboration. The VSCN provides a forum for practitioners, researchers and policymakers with community safety to support one another.
The achievements of the first decade are summarised in the words of one member – the Network has become a mature, confident, competent, passionate, strong and unique organisation.
Principle achievements 1996-2006
- Sustaining the Network for over 10 years.
- Securing a sound financial base for its operations.
- Sharing information and ideas between members.
- Providing communications channels between government and community.
- Supporting Community Safety Month for 10 years.
- Modelling a collaborative culture in its interactions with members.
- Providing professional development, education and support to members and new community safety professionals.
- Harnessing the diverse skills of its members.
- Retaining its independent voice.
- Upgrading its communications via email and the website.
- Establishing linkages with national and international colleagues and networks.
Challenges
The Network commits its members to respoind to the challenges that will present themselves over the coming years. We predict these to include:
- Maintaining financial and human resourcing.
- Sustaining and developing Community Safety Month
- Retaining the independence of the Network.
- Continuing to meet our members changing needs and priorities.
- Developing a strong advocacy role, particularly with governments.
- Continuing to consult on key government policies and plans.
- Building the profile of network.
- Achieving an integrated and coordinated approach with different sectors.
VSCN Priorities
The vision and mission of the VSCN will be achieved through implementing its strategic priorities.
- Developing the profession
- Advocating for community safety.
- Supporting organisations
- Sustaining the Network
Developing and sustaining the profession
The VSCN will develop the profession and strengthen the professional practice of members through facilitating opportunities for members to come together by:
- Conducting conferences and seminars
- Providing lectures on community safety topics for post-secondary education programs
- Establishing working parties for specific purposes according to the needs and internets of members.
- Recognising the development needs of different sectors.
- Providing members with examples of best practice, case studies, resources and opportunities for exchange via web based communications.
Advocating for community safety in all forums.
The VSCN will advocate for community safety in all forums including key state and local government organisations and the media:
- Establishing a working party for the recognition of lead agencies in community safety in Victoria.
- Developing and promoting formal policies on a range of community safety issues.
Supporting organisations to meet community safety responsibilities
The VSCN will support the community safety responsibilities of Government and other agencies through providing leadership, and influencing policies and planning, by
- Encouraging the development and implementation of integrated approaches to community safety.
- Assisting communities to achieve accreditation as WHO Safe Communities.
- Supporting national and international collaborations.
Sustaining the Network
The VSCN will sustain the Network’s capacity to support its members by:
- Maintaining a strong financial base
- Broadening and expanding membership
- Developing sponsorships
- Developing formal partnerships with like organisations, eg ASCF and NZSCF.
The Safe Communities concept began its formal existence at the First World Conference on Accident and Injury Prevention held in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1989. The Manifesto for Safe Communities, the resolution of the conference, states that "All human beings have an equal right to health and safety." The WHO safe communities movement is worldwide. The VSCN will assist member communities to become part of this movement.
THE AIC/VSCN CONFERENCE FINAL PROGRAM. YOUNG PEOPLE, CRIME AND COMMUNITY SAFETY: engagement and early intervention 25-26th Feb 2008 (118kb)