Jan Roberts and Lauren Darley Bentley Challenge Wollundry Members
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Michael Knight introduced Jan Roberts and Lauren Darly Bentley from Women's Health Centre. Lauren spoke about the money that the Women's Health Centre received from Wollundry and the partnership with Wollundry and Kapooka Army Base to target Domestic Violence in the Wagga Community. The project was kick started in July 2015. With the funds that were provided, a position of Project Manager was created which Lauren currently occupies.
After contacting agencies that deal with Domestic Violence, the conclusion was that Wagga sits somewhere between denial and resistance and vague idea of what is going on. The study has surveyed 700 community members of their knowledge of Domestic Violence. They hope to have 3,000 completed surveys by the end of the year. Once the survey's results are analyzed then strategic action will be taken. Lauren thanked the Committee representative John Ferguson for his contribution.
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Jan Roberts came to the podium and thanked Wollundry for the proceeds of the 2015 Food and Wine Festival. She then noted that there had been no progress in the last 40 years in diminishing domestic violence. She said that traditionally dealing with Domestic Violence has been seen as “women's business”. She is asking Wollundry to partner with the Women's Health Centre. She noted that in one weekend the police had 30 callouts for Domestic Violence. Men are the best people to talk to other men about Domestic Violence. Jan is not asking for more money. She is asking for long term help from Wollundry and Kapooka.
She mentioned White Ribbon Program of men against Domestic Violence and Rosie Batty coming to Wagga early next year for possibly two days to launch the Strategic plan. She would like Wollundry to be involved. She noted Colonel Steve Jobson's strong support for their work with Domestic Violence. She noted the White Ribbon Ball which will be held November 25th sponsored by Kapooka, RAAF, police and fire brigade. Possibly in the future, White Ribbon could give a workshop to help educate community men in dealing with a situation they see in public. Jan noted a thinking in the Community (held by both men and some women) that when a certain line is crossed, violence is acceptable. Domestic violence does not limit itself to physical violence … it can be financial, isolation from support groups. Women often stay in Domestic situations to protect their children. The emphasis has switched in the last couple of years … women still are taught to get to a safe place, but that is only half of the problem. The perpetrator needs help, too. John Ferguson will continue to report back to Wollundry.