creating awareness...effecting change

History of The Jewish Taskforce

Family Violence exists in every community and in every culture but only recently have we as a society resolved to confront the reality of family violence and sexual assault and its long-term repercussions on families.  The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Inc. actively advances community education and awareness by organizing instructive forums presented by renowned world experts as well as educational initiatives utilizing creative tools such as theatre and the arts.

For the past 12 years the Taskforce has worked closely with the Rabbinate, Jewish Care and mainstream service providers including the Police.  We have especially devoted many programs towards school age children promoting the recognition of healthy relationships, to ensure that young people maintain respectful relationships leading to the creation of safe, happy homes in the future.

 

 

 

The JTAFV Inc. offers support, appropriate information and referrals to those members of the Jewish community who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances as a result of family violence and sexual assault.  Our services have been extended with the utmost discretion and we have always maintained the strictest level of confidentiality to anyone who has ever reached out to our members for assistance.

 

Our experience over the last 13 years working in the community has shown us that it is essential that a culturally sensitive and Jewish specific response be available to all Jewish adults, adolescents and children from all sectors of the community.

 

The Taskforce has moved forward and taken the next step in providing a practical and safe means of support to victims of violence.  The launch of the “The Jewish Taskforce Support Line” is a venture of which we are very proud, as we believe it is of vital importance to address the needs of Jewish victims of family violence and sexual assault.

 

The Jewish Taskforce Support Line is a safe and confidential service, which allows a vulnerable member of our community the opportunity to reach out for help and understanding without the fear of repercussions.  Too often victims of family violence are either afraid or ashamed to admit their “terrible secret” to people they know.  “Anonymity allows them to reach out for help when under other circumstances they would not do so.”  Debbie Gross, Founder and Director of the Crisis Centre for Women in Jerusalem.  The intention of the phone line is to [eventually] empower callers to find solutions to their problems thus reducing the prevalence of family violence and working to end the cycle of violence and sexual assault.

 

The help line is staffed by 20 highly trained responders who represent the broad spectrum of our very diverse community.  The responders have been trained by CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault), DVIRC (The Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre), WIRE (Women’s Information), the Victorian Police and Women’s Legal Services.  They have attended a two day training workshop given by Ms Debbie Gross, Founder and Director of the Crisis Center for Women in Jerusalem, regarding Jewish specific issues which may present [especially] in the Ultra-Orthodox community.

 

The Taskforce has received overwhelming acknowledgement and validation for this essential initiative from the Rabbinate, Jewish and mainstream professional service providers as well as individual members of the community.

 

           Successful Initiatives of the Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Inc.    1995-2007

 

2007

The JTAFV Inc. is currently facilitating sexual assault awareness and prevention programs within all Jewish Day Schools at every level.

 

The Toilet Door Project is an innovative outreach project to inform and provide help-line contact numbers in response to crises and trauma. These are to be placed on the backs of toilet doors of all Jewish Day Schools and will expand to community centers, synagogues, libraries theatres and sporting facilities.

 

Workshops for mainstream service providers to enhance the understanding of Jewish cultural needs ie. family life, religious traditions and rituals.

 

2006

“Challenging the Myths of Family Violence and Sexual Assault” a series of professional workshops exploring current and innovative approaches relevant to the Jewish and mainstream communities,” presented by Ms. Debbie Gross, founder and director of The Crises Centre for Religious Women, Jerusalem. Two hundred and fifty professional service providers from within the Jewish community including the Rabbinate as well as outside mainstream service providers participated in this forum.  This project was presented in partnership with Jewish Care, Victoria.

 

2005

“In the Name of Love” - an educational forum to promote healthy relationships in our community,” presented by Ms. Debbie Gross, founder and director of The Crises Center for Religious Women, Jerusalem.  Fifteen hundred people participated in this forum including the Rabbinate, Jewish Day Schools and community presentations.

 

“Never in A Jewish Home” – Pocket Size information & referral brochure

 

2003

“Making your Home a Safer Place for your Family” What every caring Parent, Grandparent and Babysitter needs to know coordinated in association with KIDSAFE, Royal Children’s Hospital and Hatzolah

 

2002

“Flowers Aren’t Enough.”  A one woman theatrical performance and follow-up discussion exposing the complicated issues of family violence.  This play was performed in 6 Jewish Day Schools, 2 community performances and one Hebrew speaking performance.

 

2000

 “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.” An International Video Link up with renowned psychiatrist, author and Jewish expert on family violence, Dr. Rabbi Abraham Twerski, USA.

 

Guest Lecturer in Orthodox Rabbinical Association Annual Convention – Family Violence, Social Issues

 

1998

Community Breakfast-  Featuring Ms. Pepe Trevor, acclaimed star of Mum’s the Word”.

 

1997

“The Shame Borne in Silence” – Introductory forum in the Ultra-Orthodox community based on the book The Shame Borne in Silence by renowned Psychiatrist, Dr. Rabbi Abraham Twerski.

 

1996

The Launch of the Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Brochure defining Family Violence and providing a Jewish response through the Message Bank, in the presence of the Hon. Justice Alastair Nicholson, AO RFD, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

 

1995

The establishment of The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence with the support of Women Caring for Women, Melbourne and Jewish Care, Victoria.