Out of the Dark

The Out of the Dark program is a psycho-educational group program developed by the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services (NSW CS) to address domestic abuse/family violence issues for women in custody. Corrections Victoria has contracted Melbourne Citymission to deliver the six sessions designed by NSW CS and create four additional sessions.

The goals of the program are for participants to:

  • Be able to define domestic abuse/family violence
  • Be able to identify how domestic abuse/family violence impacts on participants lives
  • Be able to identify different types of domestic abuse/family violence in participants lives and lives of others
  • Be able to identify an escape plan and identify supports and services in the community that participants can access

The Out of the Dark pilot program was delivered twice at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre by two facilitators who participated in the training delivered by NSW CS.

The facilitators complemented each other with one highly experienced in group facilitation and the other highly skilled in working with women in prison. The program was co-ordinated by the Melbourne Citymission Family Support Service Co-ordinator who is based at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. She is also highly experienced in both group facilitation and working with women in prison. All staff also had training and experience in working with women who had experienced family violence/ domestic abuse.

‘Violence against women is a human rights scandal of unparalleled dimension; it is a cultural, social and political malignancy rooted in prejudice, bigotry and discrimination whose eradication must be sought without reservation, without equivocation, and without delay.’
Kate Gilmore, Executive Deputy Secretary General, Amnesty International

Contact us

Program contact details

 

Sonia Chudiak, Manager Justice Programs

Phone number

03 9680 8230

Justice Programs

We offer an integrated suite of justice programs that provide support to women and men whilst they are in prison, and before and after they have been released.

We are the largest provider of women’s prison services in Victoria. We are a leader and innovator in service provision. We also play an important role in shaping service development and policy direction.