FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WINDERMERE ADDITIONAL FUNDING SHINES THE LIGHT ON FAMILY VIOLENCE Windermere Child & Family Services, is one of the local agencies to have received additional funding from the Andrews Labor Government to boost the provision of Family Violence Flexible Support Packages, as committed in the 2015-16 State budget. The 77 flexible support packages are for women and their children who are escaping family violence, have recently experienced family violence; are planning to leave an abused situation or have had the perpetrator removed from their family home and have legal sanctions in place. Additionally, over the last 12 months Windermere has also provided specific family violence counselling to over 200 local families, through government supported funds. Across the coming year, the additional funding will enable us to reach well over 250 families in our community. Ensuring that women and children experiencing family violence the supports they so desperately need “With 1 in 3 consumers of our Victims Assistance Program experiencing violence within a family or relationship context, and such 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,” said Dr Lynette Buoy, Windermere CEO. “This brokerage funding is open to all services and our team is looking forward to working in a coordinated approach across the Southern region,” she said. Windermere run a number of other initiatives and programs that provide support and education around the issue of family violence:
Healthy Women, Healthy Relationships is a group program for women who have experienced violence in their relationships. In a safe environment this program assists women to identify and understand the dynamics and impact family violence has on them and their family, and to understand the meaning of healthy relationships.
Building Respectful Relationships is a school based initiative targeted at teens 13-15 years. This program aims to create and build positive perspectives and behaviours around gender based violence.
“Early prevention and education is the key. We must all do what we can to challenge attitudes towards violence, increase our communities knowledge base and develop a culture of respectful relationships,” said Dr Buoy. “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 everyone of us to call out and change dangerous attitudes before they turn into dangerous behaviours,” she said.
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The inaugural Shine the Spotlight on domestic violence campaign begins next Wednesday 25th November. It’s another positive step in highlighting the challenge to prevent the scourge that is family violence. Breakout Interview and Photo Opportunity Dr Lynette Buoy – Windermere CEO and MP Luke Donnellan Wednesday 18th November 10am – 10:30am 48 Webb Street, Narre Warren -Ends-
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About Windermere For over 150 years Windermere has been providing help and resources to people so they can live life to their full potential. Our ultimate goal is to help create strong, connected communities where our services are no longer needed. Today we are proud to be one of the largest independent community service organisations operating solely in Victoria’s South-East. We support individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, violence in the family, lack of housing, have been the victim of a violent crime, are living with a disability, who care for a child with a developmental delay or who just need help to fit in or feel part of their community. We provide emotional and practical support counselling, advice, education, advocacy, therapeutic interventions and reasons to come together. We also provide quality in home and centre-based childcare and work together with a number of schools to help children remain healthy and engaged. While we offer a suite of interventions, our key focus in on prevention and early intervention, and innovative practice. If you wish to know more information please contact Windermere Child and Family Services on (03) 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au
For further media information contact: Maree De George Windermere Child and Family Services Phone: (03) 9705 3460 Mob: 0414 609 006 maree.degeorge@windermere.org.au www.windermere.org.au
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