These are your rights as a client of the Mallee Domestic Violence Service: 

    You have the right to quality care from appropriately trained and experienced staff, respectful of your privacy and dignity regardless of social status, disability, age, sex, race, religion or political belief.;

    You have the right to know the name, agency, professional status and qualification of the professional worker;

    You have the right to ensure written consent (where possible) by the professional worker for any disclosure of information.  Where legal obligations demand information, the service user will be notified whenever possible.  Verbal and other appropriate forms of consent will be sought in instances where there are English literacy barriers;

    The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005

In 2005, the Victorian Government introduced the Children, Youth and Families Act to better meet the needs of vulnerable children.

A key feature of this Act is that it allows professionals to share information with Child Protection and Child FIRST to promote the safety and development of vulnerable children;

   You have the right to expect that information concerning you will be treated confidentially;

    You have the right to request a clear statement of what you can expect the service to provide including counselling sessions, referral, advocacy support, and reports.

   You have the right to make informed decisions on right to consent or refuse participation in educational, research programs, or media work and the right to refuse treatment from students;

   You have the right to have an advocate (friend, family member and / or interpreter) present when attending the service.  An interpreter can be provided by the Victorian Interpreting Translating Services on (03) 9280 1955;

    You have the right to request a transfer to another staff member by speaking with the Chief Executive Officer, Clinical Manager or Supervisor;

    You have the right to be aware that, depending on the type of service you are attending for, a record may be created for you and that details of services you receive may be recorded in that record.  If you wish to remain anonymous please discuss this with your worker;

   You have the right to access counselling file / record on written application.  Please see your professional worker, Clinical Manager or Supervisor to discuss this;

   You have the right to be aware that in order to provide the best possible level of care, it may be necessary for appropriate staff to discuss some, or all of your situation with other staff.  This will only be done after agreement with you.  As, from time to time it may be appropriate for verbal / written information exchanged with other agencies and this can only be done with your written consent.  You should be aware that records can be subpoenaed by the courts;

   You have the right to make a complaint about the services or treatment you have received, you may speak directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Clinical Manager or Supervisor and if you are not satisfied, send a written complaint to the Committee of Management of the Service.  If necessary, an advocate can be appointed to assist you.  You also have the Loddon Mallee Regional Office - Department of Human Services on (03) 5434 5555;

   You have the right to continued access to services after making a complaint; and

•    You have the right to tell us if you are happy with the service you have received, please let us know.