IGFF established the ‘The Melbourne Victims’ Collective’ (MVC) in 2006 as an action group focused on Survivor empowerment and with the capacity to function as an education forum. The MVC was formed by some thirty professionals, primary and secondary victims, whistle-blowers and priests of integrity.
For over 10 years the MVC has met regularly and informed social change, communicating with government, the public, media and religious institutional leaders. Guest speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds are invited to present information to members on topics of interest with MVC members and leaders discussing current issues, possible responses and collective action such as the ‘Rally of Hope’ in 2013. As an intentional Survivors’ community, the MVC has also contributed to significant social change in relation to surviving institutional abuses.
The MVC is now made up of over eighty individuals, including a core membership of treating practitioners from mental health care and legal backgrounds. The MVC recognises input from members of other community support groups, support services, an expanded network of concerned professionals, and representatives of other support services such a Tzedek.
The MVC provides Survivors with a unique opportunity to provide feedback directly to IGFF and allows for them to contribute to IGFF’s Strategic Directions.
The MVC’s aims are:
- To empower Survivors, families and communities
- To provide Survivors with current information and education opportunities
- To raise institutional and public awareness about the mistreatment and ongoing trauma of Survivors, and
- To open avenues for dialogue, review and change
You can view Towards Justice, the charter of the MVC here.
If you would like to join the MVC, please contact us on (03) 9940 1533 or igff@igff.org.au to register your interest.
