Thanks to Helen Morgan from Annie North Women’s Refuge who despite some technical issues, provided us with an overview of the Women’s Refuge and the impact of family violence. Annie North, not named after any particular Annie and North because it is North of Melbourne, is a high security women’s refuge that’s been operating for 26 years.
The centre currently has eight transitional houses managed in conjunction with Haven and they are about to build a cluster model facility which will contain six, three bedroom units which will allow flexibility to open up more bedrooms or close down to a smaller unit depending on the family size. The facility will also include kids space, technology for remote proceedings and garden area which will be also be Stephanie Alexander project
Research from the 2012 ABS Personal Safety Survey and Australian Institute of Criminology reveal:
Australian women from the age of 15:
- 1 in 5 experienced sexual violence
- 1 in 6 experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner
- 36% of women experienced physical or sexual violence from someone they know
- 15% of women experienced physical or sexual violence from an ex-partner
- 62% of women experienced physical assault by a male perpetrator
Of women who had experienced violence from and ex-partner.
- 73% experienced more than once incident of violence
- 61% had children in their care whilst the violence occurred
- 58% of women had never contacted police
Seventy Eight women have died this year from Family Violence and 80% of police callouts are domestic violence related
Helen also reported that the women in need came through the Safe Steps call centre 1800 015 188 either direct or with that assistance of a support person and that the families coming to Annie North and usually from other locations so too keep them safe from the perpetrator.
Whilst the government supports the centre for the operation costs, they do not cover costs associated with family’s necessities who often move in a hurry and with no personal belongings. This is just one of many areas where community can support the centre and those families in need.
In other news the board has agreed to cancel the following meetings over Christmas, 23/12/15, 30/12/15 and 6/01/16. The first meeting back in the new year, 13/1/2015 will be held at the Boardwalk, Lake Weeroona, 7 for 7.30am as normal.
A huge thanks to everyone for their efforts in putting together the hypothetical on Saturday the 5th in what was a great fun night of fellowship despite the efforts of the technical gods who again played havoc with the PA system.
Congratulations to John Whelan our latest Paul Harris Fellow, John was recognised not only for his service within the club, but also for his work in the legal fraternity and countless hours representing others who couldn’t otherwise afford it. It was great to see Das Davidas who was awarded a Paul Harris Sapphire in recognition of his service to the club as a charter member, which continues with his new club Kew. Thanks to Bev for getting Das here under guess of a Zonta meeting.
On Wednesday evening Adrian Schoo and I had the pleasure of attending the Weeroona College Awards evening and presenting 4 x "Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary Service Above Self Awards" for Respect, Integrity and Personal excellence throughout this year.
Once again and disappointingly work has me out of town this week as I head to Albury so I have asked past president Martin Ruffell to stand in this week as we welcome the Weeroona college advance class back from Fiji to give us an insight to the work they undertook.
Paul Henderson
