By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE carers at Windermere know only too well that family violence does not discriminate.
It can affect everyone and it occurs all year around.
Perhaps every day should be White Ribbon Day but, for now, it is officially recognised on Wednesday 25 November.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan visited Windermere Child and Family Services in Narre Warren on Thursday 19 November ahead of White Ribbon Day, which also marks the start of the 16-day State Government campaign Victoria Against Violence.
“Victoria Against Violence is about raising awareness and building a campaign across our community to help end family violence,” he said.
“I encourage local residents and community groups to visit the Victoria Against Violence website to find out how they can play their part.”
As well as committing $3.5 million in funding for counselling services, of which Windermere is a recipient, the Andrews Government has also set up Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The commission’s findings are expected to be released in February.
Windermere CEO Lynette Buoy said additional funding was crucial to reach the more than 250 families in the local community, with a strong focus on women and children.
“With one in three consumers of our Victims Assistance Program experiencing violence within a family or relationship context, and such an increase being present across many of our services; the boost in this brokerage funding means we can work towards meeting the increase in demand on services across our community,” she said.
“This brokerage funding is open to all services and our team is looking forward to working in a co-ordinated approach across the southern region.”
Windermere runs several programs that provide support and education to families suffering from family violence.
Healthy Women, Healthy Relationships is a program for women who have experienced violence in their relationships.
Building Respectful Relationships is a school based initiative targeted at teens aged from 13 to 15.
“Early prevention and education is the key,” Dr Buoy said.
“We must all do what we can to challenge attitudes towards violence, increase our community’s knowledge base and develop a culture of respectful relationships.
“Everyone is someone in our community and we must work together to create a stronger, connected and supported community where violence is not tolerated.
“It is up to each and every one of us to call out and change dangerous attitudes before they turn into dangerous behaviours.”
For more information, visit www.vic.gov.au/victoriaagainstviolence or www.windermere.org.au.
