Founded from a public meeting of the Melbourne gay community in 1983, the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) has grown to a community health service using the multi-disciplinary skills of approximately 300 volunteers and 45 paid staff, and an annual budget of $3.2 million. Thousands of individual members of the community and hundreds of companies and organisations also contribute to the success of our work.

The VAC/GMHC aims to improve the health and social and emotional well-being of the Victorian HIV positive and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. In particular, we are invested in bring the AIDS epidemic to an end.

WHO

The groups we serve are:

• HIV positive individuals and communities;
  

• HIV vulnerable or at risk communities; and,
  

• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) communities.

HOW

As a community based public health organisation, VAC/GMHC will:

• Empower individuals and communities to manage their own health;
  

• Be responsive to the changing needs of our communities;
  

• Build supportive environments for individuals to adopt and sustain healthy behaviours; and,
  

• Build the capacity of the broader community, including government and service providers to respond to the needs of our communities.

WHAT

Our core services include:

• Building the capacity of HIV vulnerable/at risk communities and individuals through preventative health strategies such as education, training and support;
  

• Care, support and advocacy for HIV positive individuals and communities; and,
  

• Advocating for social justice for the GLBTI community and improving their experience of the health service system.

Please click on the link below to view our Strategic Vision document (PDF).

Strategic Vision Document (PDF 583KB)

• We are committed to social justice and social change;
  

• We form strategic partnerships with governments, hospitals, and other service providers;
  

• Our effectiveness and inspiration is due to the support of the communities we serve, and the hard work and dedication of our diverse volunteers & paid staff; and,
  

• We constantly review and revise our work so that we can best achieve our mission in an ever-changing world.

About the Research Promotion & Ethics Committee

The Research Promotion & Ethics Committee (RPEC) promotes a research agenda within the VAC/GMHC and other learning institutions to benefit our constituent communities. It reviews all proposed research that would involve the VAC/GMHC, and offers guidance in research ethics to outside projects and review committees if they request it. The RPEC includes representatives of VAC/GMHC, PLWHA Victoria, Researchers and community members.

Applying for Ethics Approval

The RPEC has ethical jurisdiction to review any research proposal that requests:

• VAC/GMHC endorsement, distribution or promotion; and/or
  

• Use of VAC/GMHC premises; and/or
  

• Access to VAC/GMHC mailing lists, or advice on recruitment; and/or
  

• The direct involvement of VAC/GMHC in any way.

The Committee requires that research projects have institutional ethics approval, and supplements this with consideration of ethical issues particular to VAC/GMHC communities. It pays particular attention to the interests of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

It provides advice and support to researchers about GLBTQ and PLWHA sensitivities, and can liaise between researchers and Management or the Board about research that might affect the operations or standing of the VAC/GMHC.

How to Apply

1. Download the Application Form (MS 'Word' format) at the bottom of this page;
   
2. Contact the RPEC Secretary to discuss your application; and,
   
3. Submit the application by post or e-mail.

Review Process

Applications will be considered by RPEC at its bi-monthly meetings, or electronically between meetings. If the Committee identifies problems with the application, it will be returned with constructive feedback for amendment and re-submission.

Requesting Guidance

You can request ethical support and guidance from RPEC for any research project involving GLBTQ or PLWHA subjects or communities, even if it does not involve the VAC/GMHC.

This can be an invaluable source of insight for researchers, and the presence of external ethical guidance may help procure ethical approval from institutional ethics committees.

Making the request

Please telephone the RPEC Secretary, John Hall, on (03) 9863 0425 to discuss your proposal. The Committee can consider and comment on a draft of a research ethics application, or deputise one of its members to talk with you and go through the issues that might arise in your research.

Resources

For resources to assist your application, please click on the links and documents below.

VAC Ethics Application Form (PDF 82KB)

RPEC Terms of Reference (PDF 64 KB)