Memorial Bench Seat Unveiled In Hamilton To Honour 21-Year-Old Mackenzie Anderson

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The mother of a young Newcastle woman who was murdered during an alleged domestic violence incident is calling for more to be done to protect other women and children from harm.

21-year-old Mackenzie Anderson was fatally stabbed in front of her young son at her unit in Mayfield on the 25th of March, 2022.

Her ex-partner has been charged with murder and remains before the courts. 

A memorial bench was officially unveiled in Mackenzie's honour at Gregson Park in Hamilton this morning. (Monday the 11th of December, 2023). 

Her mother Tabitha Acret, said change needs to come from the top and the bottom. 

"My daughter's death garnered a lot of media attention and...it was quite overwhelming at the time, but that's how every death should have been be treated and not every death is treated like that; sometimes it's a small blurb, sometimes we don't hear much at all...and we count it," she said. 

"That's not what I want; those families don't want their children forgotten, but we also just don't want to keep seeing it happen." 

Ms. Acret is calling for both "upstream" and "downstream" approaches to violence, whereby charges and sentencing is tightened for offenders, and children are educated from a young age about right and wrong behaviors. 

She hopes the seat will serve as a reminder about how much needs to be done in order to protect other women and children from violence. 

"We just need to keep the conversation going." 

Friends, family, Newcastle Councillors and local domestic violence services came together together to unveil the seat this morning, which can be found on the western boundary of the park, near the Samdon Street entrance. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text 1800 RESPECT. 

Violence Victims Left with Nowhere to Go

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Restricted government funding has left over 100 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie domestic violence victims without safe and secure housing.

Domestic violence services are at maximum capacity, while women and children continue to struggle to find safe accommodation. 

Over the past four weeks, 77 women and 31 children were unable to be accommodated by crisis refuges. 

Ongoing pressure to meet the demand for crisis accommodation is growing, as the number of case referrals increase. 

Newcastle Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Manager Suellyn Moore, said domestic violence services and victims are pleading for support from the NSW government. 

"Unless there are real time results, we're going to see more people stay in DV relationships," she said.  

There's concerns, without sufficient funding for safe and secure housing, the number of women and children left struggling to find safe accommodation will continue to rise across the region and the state. 

 

Advocate and Victim Survivor Named Newcastle Local Woman of the Year

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

What Were You Wearing? (WWYW) founder Sarah Williams has been named as the 2023 Newcastle Local Woman of the Year.

A victim-survivor herself, Sarah has organised rallies attended by thousands of people, has collected more than 20,000 stories from survivors, organsied the first ever survivor advocates group within universities, and aired the first ever exhibition on sexual assault awareness in Australia. 

It also comes after WWYW recently launched a state-wide campaign to tackle drink spiking across the Hunter and NSW, backed by Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. 

Ms Williams said he is hopeful her work is making change possible. 

"You don't really see people like myself getting awards or getting recognised, so I think the award is not only for me, but it's for all survivors," she said. 

Ms Williams also said there's still more to be done in the domestic violence space, and has plans to start survival workshops, as well as a once-a-week helpline for victims. 

NSW Greens Launch Plan to Tackle Domestic Violence

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Greens have launched their plan to tackle domestic and family violence across the Hunter and the state. 

The minor party has committed to fully fund and deliver on the recommendations of the NSW Women’s Alliance 2023 Election Platform, calling for action to end gendered violence. 

This includes funding frontline and recovery services, increasing legal assistance for women, and delivering primary prevention programs. 

The party has also put a call out to all Newcastle state election candidates to commit to funding the Domestic Violence Resource Centre run locally by Jenny's Place. 

Greens MP and Spokesperson for Domestic Violence and Abuse Abigail  Boyd, says $500,000 isn't a lot to ask to fully fund the service. 

She also said it's about time money was spent to enact lasting change. 

"You can see the other parties are very happy to commit funding to greyhound racing and to subsidies for the fossil fuel industry."

"There are so many streams of funding that we could cut out of the budget and direct towards domestic violence funding that would actually make a real difference," Ms Boyd said. 

Image: NSW Greens

University of Newcastle Survivors Take a Stand Against Violence

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A University of Newcastle student has founded the institution's first survivor-run advisory advocates group. 

21 year-old Sarah Williams is a child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault survivor, third-year law and communications student, and an advocate for survivors across the region and country. 

She previously founded What Were You Wearing, an education, awareness and advocacy organisation run by sexual violence survivors. 

Ms Williams said the Survivors Advocates Advisory Board will provide a diverse insight into the lived experience of the survivor. 

"I only want the group to go ahead if it has First Nations people on it, people living with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ identifying people, because as we know from statistics, those three groups are disproportionally affected by sexual violence, and particularly sexual violence on campus," Ms Williams said. 

The group of 10 student survivors will meet once a month to discuss how to support victims and combat violence on campus. 

They will be joined by a trauma-informed psychologist at meetings to provide support on potentially triggering issues, and are assured the group will be a safe and confidential space. 

The establishment of the group comes after the latest National Student Safety Survey revealed almost one in five UON students had been sexually harassed since starting their studies. 

It also aligns with the Federal Government's announcement today, it will launch the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. 

The 10-year plan is underpinned by six principles, one of which involves working with victim-survivors to develop policies and solutions.

Ms Williams said she's excited to see higher-ups working with survivors to find solutions, and she already has suggestions for the University to implement. 

"Being able to have that voice is really powerful. You feel like you're able to assist in making change. It also makes you believe that the government actually does want to make change and they don't want to continue to see the statistics that we continue seeing, which is really great," she said. 

"I'd love to see more consent education brought out in the University to regular students, rather than just student residents. Currently you do a consent module, but that's just once when you do your degree and it's nothing at all; it's very outdated in our opinion." 

Applications to become one of the 10 survivor advocates are open to anyone who will be studying at the University in 2023 (including current Year 12 students) and will close on the 24th of October. 

More information can be found on the What Were You Wearing website. 

The University of Newcastle has established its first Survivors Advocates Advisory Board for sexual violence survivors. 

Calls for action as sexual assault rates surge in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The State Government is facing calls to take action, as rates of sexual assault and domestic violence climb in the Hunter.

According to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures, the Hunter Valley's seen a 39.8 percent increase in sexual assault incidence over the past five years, the highest in New South Wales.

The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area saw an 11.3 percent rise.

Across the state, sexual assault rates rose by 14.3 percent, and domestic violence by 10.6 percent.

Charlestown MP and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison says the figures are deeply concerning.

She's calling on the NSW Government to put more money into the Sexual Violence Helpline, following revelations earlier this year, one in three calls to the service wasn't being answered.

Lord Mayor's prayer breakfast raises $18,000 for domestic violence support

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter domestic violence and homelessness support service Jenny's Place has received $18,000 as the beneficiary of the Newcastle Lord Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.

The breakfast fundraiser will put the money toward the organisation's Newcastle Domestic Violence Resource Centre, which offers early intervention and prevention services for women and children.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it's important for the city to support Jenny's Place.

"The Newcastle Domestic Violence Resource Centre is not government-funded and relies solely on community donations and sponsorship to keep its doors open, so I’m pleased to be able to help support such an important cause," Cr Nelmes said.    

"This is particularly significant when you consider the DVRC is a referral pathway for the Staying Home Leaving Violence program and many other agencies, including the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, Centrelink, Housing NSW and other housing providers, educational institutions, health professionals and hospitals, counsellors and more."

Jenny's Place Executive Manager Marcia Chapman, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Jenny's Place Community Relations Coordinator Kim Britton, and Kingdomworks Pastor Rick Prosser.

Psychology students launch new clinic for crisis accomodation residents

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Jenny's Place is partnering with the University of Newcastle for a new clinic connecting crisis accommodation residents with weekly psychology services.

The Sunshine Hut program is being staffed by provisional psychologists and postgraduate students in the School of Psychology.

Jenny's Place Executive Manager Marcia Chapman says women and children fleeing violence often struggle with their mental health.

"Some kids can have learning difficulties at school, they can act out, they can have trouble having relationships," she said.

"They can have low self-esteem, or suffering mental issues such as anxiety, depression. Drug and alcohol dependencies.

"Some may become abusers themselves, or get into domestic violence relationships and the cycle repeats."

The program's been made possible by an anonymous philanthropic grant to Jenny's Place, who is also funding preliminary research to further develop the initiative.

The psychologists initially work with mothers to examine their personal history and understand their needs, before focusing on individual therapy and referrals to other services.

It's also being welcomed as a valuable hands-on experience for psychology students, with hope the program will be expanded over the next four years.

"They're going to learn so much, being able to come in and be part of this," Ms Chapman said.

"They've been involved in it from the get-go, so they're the ones who are designing it, putting it together, and doing the research and building the program as they go.

"It's a very exciting time for the clients, for the students, and for us."

Clinical Supervisor Saskia Behan, Jenny's Place Operations Manager Stacey Gately, and Master of Clinical Psychology student Rebecca Fellowes.

Labor to Fund Crisis Accommodation in Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon says if elected, a Labor Government will provide $1.2 million in funding for domestic violence victims in Newcastle. 

The announcement comes in response to calls from the sector over many years for the Federal Government to invest in crisis accommodation and frontline workers. 

It is expected the investment into crisis accommodation will help to house as many as 108 women and children in the region. 

In addition to the large sum, Labor has also said it will fund the employment of an additional ten frontline workers to support people who are facing domestic violence. It is expected these workers will help support over 800 victims. 

Sharon Claydon said the affects of the pandemic has meant both victims and the family and domestic violence sector in Newcastle are at breaking point. 

"It is unforgivable that we would allow women and children to be rendered homeless, whether they are couch-surfing, sleeping in the back of their cars, out on the streets, or indeed returning to the perpetrator of violence because they cannot find safe accommodation in which to seek refuge," Ms Claydon said. 

She also claims the Liberal Government has been providing the sector with insufficient funding for nearly a decade. 

"Survivors are strong, resilient and remarkable people but they do deserve help to rebuild their lives and sadly, after almost a decade of Liberal Governments at a national level, there has been just zero leadership on this issue," she said. 

"I deeply regret that they have waited ten years to receive nothing to date."

Ms Claydon said there have been ample opportunities for the Federal Government to bring about lasting reforms for women in the home and workplace. 

Labor says it will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with the appropriate urgency. 

"If a Labor Government is elected on May 21st, there will be relief coming," Ms Claydon said. 

Labor will provide $1.2 million for crisis accommodation in Newcastle

Man Charged With Murder Over Death Of Mackenzie Anderson At Mayfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strike force detectives have now charged a man over the alleged murder of a 21-year-old woman at Mayfield.

Police were called to reports of an armed man breaking into a unit in Crebert Street on Friday night, arriving to find Mackenzie Anderson with multiple stab wounds and her 3-year-old child hiding nearby covered in blood.

Newcastle Police Commander, Superintendent Wayne Humphrey described the scene as "horrendous".

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mackenzie died at the scene.

Her 22-year-old ex-partner was arrested at the scene.

He faced court on Sunday charged with murder, aggravated enter dwelling with intent and breaching an Aggravated Domestic Violence Order.

The Mayfield man has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 28 March, 2022).

Mackenzie Anderson Picture: Facebook

Domestic violence service forced to cut back support for women in need

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A women's domestic violence and homelessness service has been forced to cut back services, saying the capacity just isn't there to keep up with demand.

Nova For Women And Children will cut back on non-urgent referrals and a waiting list won't be kept for non-urgent crisis accommodation requests.

The service's Newcastle and Charlestown hubs will now be shut on Tuesdays.

There's reports staff are burnt-out and struggling to keep up.

More than 150 women are currently waiting for support across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas alone.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says the Federal Government has a responsibility to step up funding.

"The Prime Minister's promise of extra funding has really turned out to be nothing but a heartless con for our services in Newcastle," Ms Claydon said.

"Just another hollow announcement from a Government that seems to be hell bent on not actually following through on anything that they have allegedly committed to."

The news comes at the closing of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Ms Claydon is also set to speak at a Hunter Workers rally at Civic Park on Friday, calling on the Government to provide ten days paid domestic violence leave.

The cut to services will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, but the current model is likely to remain in place until at least next year.

Hunter Domestic Violence Support Organisations Set to Benefit From COVID Grants

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter organisations supporting victims of domestic violence have been given a helping hand in the latest round of a grant program supporting women through the pandemic.

A number of local groups have managed to benefit in the third round of the $8.6 million COVID-19 Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Infrastructure Grant Program.

Maitland's Carrie's Place is set to put the cash toward refurbishing their refuge with a new kitchen and facilities, as well as efforts to improve disability access. 

Upper Hunter Homeless Support, Samaritans Foundation, Port Stephens Family Family and Neighbourhood Services Inc., Family Support Newcastle and Survivor's R Us Incorporated have all also received funding for renovations, repairs, and new infrastructure.

Carrie's Place CEO Jayne Clowes says the funds will go a long way toward providing the best conditions for their clients.

"Your own environment and your own surroundings are important to you," Ms Clowes said. "We need to make sure that our women and children feel safe and secure." 

"So it's a fantastic opportunity for Carrie's Place to be able to use this funding to improve our services for the clients that we support." 

Hunter Women's Services In Canberra Demanding Change

 BY JARROD MELMETH

A number of the Hunters frontline women and children's services will today convene on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra to call for more to be done about domestic violence.

Warlga Ngurra Refuge, Nova for Women and Children, Hunter Womens Centre and Got Your Back Sista are just some of the local services who have lead the contingent of frontline workers and advocates to Canberra.

The collective are setting up a display of 150 white dresses, each decorated to commemorate a woman murdered by domestic violence.

One of the dresses tells the story of mother of two Katie Haley, who was murdered three years ago at he age of 29. It was decorated by her friend Lauren Graham, who is in attendance to share Katie's story with hope her death is not in vain.

Manager of Warlga Ngurra Refuge Rae Hopkins says these 150 women have died in the past 5 years alone.

"We are getting no action, no support, no one is listening.

"We are at full capacity. When women and children are escaping domestic violence there are a number of factors that come into play.

"There is currently no affordable housing available. There is nowhere safe for these women, children and families to go. 

"We need domestic violence to be on the agenda and we need governments to listen to and support us," Ms Hopkins said.

13 women this year have been dies at the hands of violence.

Ms Hopkins says services are heartsick and tired of the grief of bearing these deaths time and time again. 

The dress made in commemoration 
of Katie Hayley.

Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate Hunter's Domestic Violence Victims

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A candlelight vigil will be held to commemorate the Hunter's victims of domestic violence on Wednesday night.

On average one woman or child loses their life to domestic violence every week.

Survivors of domestic and family abuse, frontline workers, and other allies will gather at the Old Tram Sheds in Foreshore Park at 5:30pm, for a vigil from 6pm to 7pm.

Attendees are asked to bring a candle, torch, or lantern.

Calls to Introduce Consent Classes in Hunter High Schools

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The NSW Government is facing calls to put forward $250,000 in funding toward an early intervention program discussing consent and healthy relationships in high schools across the Hunter and the State.

The issue was raised at a NSW Budget Estimates inquiry on Tuesday following reports of alarming rates of sexual assaults of students in Sydney.

Love Bites, a respectful relationships program offered by the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, requested the funding to help train more facilitators and expand efforts following increased demand from Sydney high schools.

Labor MP Trish Doyle, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, said communities should not have to resort to fundraising to help get these services off the ground.

"It's important that governments not only provide services to those issues, but that they also invest in primary prevention," Ms Doyle said.

"Let's pump some money into our schools, let's have our young people change this culture of violence and discuss what a healthy relationship looks like and what to do if you're in one that's not." 

Police Officer Arrested in Lake Macquarie Over Alleged Domestic Violence Incident

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A police officer has been charged over an alleged domestic-related incident earlier this year.

Following an investigation, the 48-year-old woman, a senior constable attached to a command in the Northern Region, was arrested at Belmont Police Station about 11.30am on Tuesday.

She was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and reckless wounding (DV).

The charges relate to an alleged domestic-related incident involving a 45-year-old man at a Newcastle home on July 27. 

She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 24 September. 

The officer is currently on long term leave.

Hunter Hairdressers To Receive Domestic Violence Awareness Training

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hairdressers across the Hunter will receive domestic violence awareness training to ensure they’re better prepared if a client discloses abuse when attending their salon.

The training work shops will be conducted across five regions in NSW over the coming months, including the Hunter, South Coast, Central Coast, Albury and Wagga Wagga.

Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said the training, would help ensure victims were referred to support services if needed.

“Hairdressers are valuable members of our communities who develop meaningful relationships with their clients, particularly if they’ve worked with them for many years,” Mr Speakman said.

“This training is about empowering hairdressers with information to best ensure that they are equipped to recognize domestic violence, manage any disclosures from customers, and most importantly, support the victim to get the help they need."

“Salon professionals are also a female dominated workforce, so we’re confident this training can help with broader community awareness too, given the tragically disproportionate impact of domestic and family violence on women and children.”

Legal Aid NSW CEO Brendan Thomas said co-ordinating a program such as this was an innovative way of engaging with people needing legal support.

“The easier it becomes for women and children to gain the full protection of the law, the greater progress we will make in eradicating violence in families,” Mr Thomas said.

Australian Hairdressing Council CEO Sandy Chong said hairdressers often listen to the problems of their clients and offer a sympathetic ear.

“It comes with the job, so the workshops can help them know what to do if a client does disclose to them that they are experiencing domestic violence,” Ms Chong said.

“We encourage hairdressers to take up the opportunity to attend these workshops.”

 The workshops will be delivered by local legal and domestic violence services participating in Legal Aid NSW’s Co-operative Legal Service Delivery Program, which works to bolster support for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in 12 NSW regions.

Accused Child Choker To Face Maitland Court

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has faced a Sydney court accused of choking a child in a domestic-related incident near Maitland.

Police say the 27-year-old was at a house in Rutherford on Saturday afternoon when he began arguing with a 44-year-old woman and became aggressive.

It's alleged he then grabbed a 5-year-old boy by the throat, lifting him off the ground before letting him go onto a lounge.

The man was arrested at a hotel on Castlereagh Street, Haymarket on Saturday night.

He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with intentionally choke person without consent (DV).

He faced Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday and is due to reappear at Maitland Court on Thursday.

Officer Injured, Woman Threatened in Domestic Violence Incident

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man's been charged with serious assault and attempting to escape police custody following a domestic violence incident in Singleton overnight.

Around 9pm, the 29-year-old man approached a woman as she entered her home on Andrews Street with her 51-year-old step-father.

The woman entered the home and called Triple Zero as her step-father remained outside and asked the man to leave.

Police say the man then returned to his car and allegedly rammed the step-father into a telegraph pole before forcing his way into the home and intimidating the woman with a baseball bat.

He then left the premises and was apprehended by police shortly after.

It's then alleged the man assaulted an officer while attempting to escape custody at Singleton Police Station.

The woman's step-father suffered a compound fracture and was airlifted to hospital, while the police officer also attended hospital and was later discharged with a graze to his eye and concussion.

The man was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence (intimidation), assault police and attempt escape custody.

Labor to fund University of Newcastle's Gendered Violence Project

BY LILLY HAINES

Labor will invest $1.65 million for the University of Newcastle to deliver a project aimed at helping people who have experienced domestic and family violence into higher education and to change community culture.

The funding is a part of a $174 million Labor commitment to boost equity and participation in higher education.

The project consists of four complementary programs focusing on creativity and learning beyond trauma; choice, change, and opportunity; supporting students beyond domestic and family violence; and challenging gendered inequalities in leadership.

The pilot project will reach up to 1400 participants at different ages from high-school students to higher education participants from across the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast regions.

Shadow Minister for Universities and Shadow Minister for Equality, Senator Louise Pratt, said the project will be significant in creating important pathways for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"We want to support more people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable who might not get a good go at higher education into university.

"I know so many of my own friends who have had these experiences where they haven't made it through their degrees because relationships broke down because of domestic or gendered violence and you will hear these stories in your own communities here," Senator Pratt said.

The project includes tailor-made pathways into university for people who have experienced domestic and family violence and will offer ongoing support during their time as a student.

Last year, the Hunter region showed higher numbers of domestic violence than the state average.

"Gender violence is reaching epidemic proportions in Australia and we need to find really serious ways to prevent gendered violence, to better support people who are leaving gendered violence, and to break the cycle which is why I am especially happy about this program trying to bring about cultural change," Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said.

Part of the project will target high school students and raise awareness about the damaging impacts of gender inequality and provide the tools to challenge harmful attitudes.

Vice Chancellor for the University of Newcastle, Professor Alex Zalinsky, welcomes the announcement to fund the programs as the university is "strongly committed to equity and excellence".

"Equity means helping the disadvantaged and people who have been subjected to gendered violence are disadvantaged and they really are set back and we are committed to addressing those issues," Professor Zelinsky said.

Director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, Professor Penny Jane Burke, said this project is important because of the power of higher education in creating change, hope, and possibilities for disadvantaged people.

"There is transformative power of education in rebuilding people's lives, I know that firsthand as a survivor of domestic violence myself," Professor Burke said.

"I know what role higher education can play in transforming not only their own lives but the lives of their children and their families.

"Not only the individual women are touched by this but it also extends into their families and communities."

L-R: Vice Chancellor Alex Zalinsky, Senator Louise Pratt, Professor Penny Jane Burke & Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon at the University of Newcastle's NewSpace.