The Ball, organised by fundraising supremo’s Lynda Alexander and Charlie Fenton, was to raise funds to help women living in (or who have left) domestic violence and the support the attendees gave was inspiring.  

The raffle raised significant funds for this worthy cause. 

Pru Goward, newly appointed Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault delivered a strong message, calling for more vigilence around dealing with domestic violence and explained that whilst millions are donated to eradicating this social crisis over time, it’s not enough.  We need more action.

I spoke about my experiences of working with domestic violence survivors over a 25 year period, challenging how we as a planet can deal with this life-threatening problem, introducing sobering statistics to make attendees realise that domestic violence respects no colour, race or creed.

And that includes the Southern Highlands.

Domestic Violence is ‘everybody’s problem’ with on average at least one woman a week killed by a partner or former partner in Australia​ (I believe it’s higher.)  

Of those women who experience violence, more than half have children in their care.

In the Southern Highlands/Tablelands, the statistics are equally alarming.  In 2016:

We believe that for each one reported DV case, approximately 17 go unreported. Which means that in 2016 in the Southern Highland/Tablelands approximately 11,220 women were living in some form of domestic violence.  And this year?

My challenge to the leaders at the ball was to raise the bar and assist in driving the community forward positively, addressing inappropriate behaviour when they see it and ensuring that women are treated equally in business at all times, as examples. 

The Southern Highlands Domestic Forum, established in 2008, comprises a range of services that collaboratively work together to assist those dealing with domestic violence to obtain positive outcomes. 

The Empowering Women to Thrive Program – To help address domestic violence I have written, and deliver a popular program entitled ‘Empowering Women to Thrive’ which teaches women critical skills to communicate well and be resilient and gives them the ability to carve productive and effective lives for themselves and their children moving forward.

See www.carynwalsh.com.au or contact me on 0414 375526.  We’d love your support to help women through the programs.

Do you have something on your mind that you want to share? Why not get your message across in the Southern Highland News Letters to the Editor? 

Publishing consideration is given to all letters, with preference given to those that are 250 words or less. Please include name and contact details. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons and will be published online.