At CASA House, our two important frameworks are the ‘Rights, Options and Control’ model and intersectional feminism.
These frameworks inform our values, our work with victim survivors, and how we understand sexual assault.
All our counsellor advocates use these two frameworks and a range of counselling approaches in their work. Our counsellors are trauma-informed. They strive to be culturally sensitive and identity affirming.
CASA House uses a 'rights advocacy' model of service.
That means we offer a service to victim survivors which:
A rights-advocacy model considers people's differences and unique needs. It enables people to make their own choices to support their recovery. It helps people to be empowered.
At CASA House, we use an intersectional feminist framework to understand sexual violence. Using a feminist approach means we acknowledge that gender is an important factor in understanding sexual violence.
Intersectionality means we acknowledge that gender is not the only way to understand people and their experience of sexual violence. It supports us to understand how sexual assault impacts people differently and informs their ability to seek support.
Using an intersectional lens also means we view sexual violence as a societal problem, rather than an individual one. How society regards different parts of a person’s identity determines how likely they are to have access to autonomy, safety and power. People who are marginalised and stigmatised are less likely to have access to autonomy and safety. People with a lot of privilege are more likely to have power over others.
When a person uses sexual violence against another person, they misuse the power they have over them. This doesn’t always have to be physical, but can be social, emotional, political, financial or other.
Sexual violence is both a consequence and a cause of marginalisation and disadvantage. We need to change rigid societal beliefs about who is more or less worthy and strive for equity. This is critical to dismantling a culture that perpetuates sexual violence and oppression.
To understand a person's experience and support needs, all parts of their identity must be considered. At CASA House, we strive to have an intersectional foundation to all our interactions and services.
CASA House acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their continuing connection to, and care for, land and waters. We acknowledge this land was stolen, and that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present.