Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) advocates for improved outcomes for Victorians impacted by eating disorders.

Supported by the latest evidence and the lived experience of our community, we advocate for change in policy and practice at government, business and community level. At the heart of our advocacy is the need for all Victorians, with any eating disorder, to access early, equitable and evidence-based care free from discrimination or bias.

Lived experience and peer work is a human rights and social justice response that empowers those who are generally disempowered by the institutions that are designed to treat them (Mead et al., 2001). This work serves to provide a person centered, trauma informed, and mutual support treatment approach for recovery.

EDV advocates for the integration of lived experience and peer work across the continuum of eating disorder care. EDV has a 40+ year history of providing lived experience community support, and currently provides world-leading and comprehensive peer support programs.

EDV recognises the unique experience and complexity of eating disorder experiences. Through our lived experience and peer workforce, we inspire hope and motivation at every stage of eating disorder help-seeking, treatment, caring roles and recovery.

The role of carers of young people <18yrs of age is often intensive and demanding, requiring specific knowledge, skills and resources.

We call for focused investment that supports carers to succeed in their caring role. This includes access to financial and community-based supports, such as psychoeducation, skill-building, in-home help and access to peer workers. We also recognise that everyone’s carer experience and recovery journey will look different, and that individualised and person-centred care is essential.

Carers, family and supporters involved in the care of an adult with an eating disorder often report feeling shut-out by the system when their loved one turns 18.

At EDV, we recognise that caring for or supporting someone with an eating disorder knows no age limits. We call for greater inclusion of carers, family and supporters in the ongoing care of adults with eating disorders, with stronger processes within the system of care for facilitating this involvement. We also call for carers, families and supporters of adults to have access to appropriate skill and capacity building resources, as well as wellbeing support to help reduce carer burden and distress.

Eating disorders in men and boys are prevalent but poorly understood and inadequately addressed. Stigma and shame surrounding eating disorders in men prevent many from seeking help.

EDV recognises and advocates for the importance of awareness raising to address stigma and stereotyping of risk factors and warning signs of eating disorders in men and boys. We also advocate for gender inclusive health workforce training and capacity building to ensure research and health care responses adequately consider and respond to eating disorders in men and boys.

We are engaged in key government and independent processes for funding and policy reform relating to eating disorders.

Read our most recent submissions below.

In recognition of the significant and growing issue of eating disorders in Victoria, the Victorian Government has committed to developing a new Victorian Eating Disorder Strategy. The last state-wide strategy was developed in 2014.

The strategy will guide high-quality, safe and evidence-informed practice in promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment for Victorians with or at risk of developing an eating disorder as well as their families, carers and supporters.