CASA:
Someone to talk to

Ballarat Centre Against Sexual (CASA) started as the Ballarat Sexual clinic in 1985. It operated out of a small room adjacent to the emergency department at the Base Hospital. At various time the services offered included services to victims of general crisis or trauma, not victim/survivors of sexual assault.

In 1995 the centre officially become a CASA-an important political milestone. In 1997 the CASA formally aligned with Ballarat Health Services with a memorandum of understanding that guaranteed some autonomy and independence for CASA as well as the protection of larger organisation.In 1999 CASA was relocated from the old nurses home on the hospital site to a house in Ascot St Sth. A 24 hour crisis care service, located in refurbished rooms at the hospital, was launched in May 1999.

Staffing has increased over the last ten years from less than 2 to 6 effective full-time positions. Services are offered in Ballarat, Ararat and Bacchus Marsh, with a plan to extend to Daylesford in 2002.

Kirsty Ringen from CASA said that there can be a link between a person who fallen victim to sexual assault and drugs and/ or alcohol abuse.

The centre against sexual assault deal with men, woman and children who have been a victim also family member of victim of sexual assault from all walks of life.

CASA
Located at; 115a Ascot Street South, Ballarat,

Phone: 5320 3933.

Website: www.ballaratcasa.org

Nick Pollock
Youth@bility Reporter