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.

EDV is proud to be a lead partner in the Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy 2024-31, the first of its kind since 2014.

The Strategy sets out a world-class plan across three focus areas:

1. Prevention, information and early identification
2. Accessible, evidence-based eating disorder treatment through a stepped care model
3. Wellbeing and recovery supports

EDV is currently collaborating with the Victorian Department of Health to develop the implementation plan that will bring the Strategy to life across the stepped system of care.

There is limited data across Victoria about eating disorder prevalence. We need data to advocate for the right support, in the right places, at the right time, with the right investment.

Each year, EDV works to address this with:

• An annual Community Survey. Your opportunity to share your perspectives on the eating disorder system of care, and the key issues that need attention.
• An annual report on Victoria’s eating disorder trends. This report collates the latest publicly available data from around the state about eating disorder prevalence and complexity, updates on the system of care, and lived experience input from our Community Survey.

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.