Community Takes On Collaborative Approach to Tackle Family Violence
14 June 2017 at 4:09 pm
Women from culturally diverse communities in West Melbourne will work together in an innovative new program to tackle family violence.
The Ready, Steady Together Partnership (RSTP) will train local women from different culturally diverse communities, such as South Sudanese, Indian and Burmese, to act as cross-cultural facilitators to help new and expecting parents who are experiencing family violence.
The program, created by Wyndham City, is a joint initiative by the Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC) and Drummond Street Services.
Wyndham City’s Safer Communities spokesperson, Kim McAliney, said family violence was a major problem which required the community to work together.
“Family violence is a serious issue that affects so many people in our community. From 2012 to 2016 there were over 12,000 reported incidents of family violence in Wyndham – the highest of anywhere in the western suburbs. We also know that many incidents go unreported,” McAliney said.
“With one woman being killed every week as a result of violence from an intimate partner in Australia, people need to know that they can make a difference and that bringing an end to
men’s violence against women will take a whole of community approach.
“An initiative like the one that we are developing will unite three different organisations around a common goal – ending violence against women and children in our communities.”
The RSTP program received a $120,000 grant from the state government as part of the Community Partnerships for Primary Prevention Program.
“I would like to thank the state government, and in particular the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson, for agreeing to fund the Ready, Steady, Together Partnership, which brings together the commitment of council, expertise of Drummond Street and the local knowledge, experience and networks of the Wyndham Community Education Centre,” McAliney said.
