DjirraVIC
Joanne Kakafikas currently serves as the Director of Corporate Services at DjirraVIC, a position held since February 2023. Prior to this role, Joanne held various leadership positions at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre from May 2014 to February 2023, including General Manager and Director of People and Services. Joanne’s experience also includes roles as Business Manager at OzStaff and Whittley Marine Group Pty Ltd, and Group Business Manager at Compass Recruitment, showcasing a strong background in management across multiple sectors. Joanne is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Women in Leadership at the University of Adelaide, following a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
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DjirraVIC
Established in 2002, Djirra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. Djirra specialises in family violence, providing culturally safe and holistic assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, predominantly women, who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and/or sexual assault. Djirra is the Woiwurrung word for the reed used by Wurundjeri women for basket weaving. Traditionally, when women gathered to weave, important talks took place and problems were solved. Djirra symbolises Aboriginal women today, coming together to share stories, support each other and find solutions. Djirra provides a range of services and programs, including legal assistance for intervention orders, child protection, family law and victims of crime matters. Our Community Engagement team delivers wrap-around support, as well as outreach to women in prison, and early intervention and prevention programs. The policy and advocacy team work to identify systemic issues in need of reform and advocate for change to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s access to safety, justice and equality. As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Djirra is directed by an Aboriginal Board and has policies in place to ensure we provide culturally safe services in direct response to community needs.