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. 

 

Petition launched to save support class at Islington Public School

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Hunter father has launched a petition, after learning a support class for students with mild intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and communication difficulties at Islington Public School is likely to be dissolved next year, if class numbers don't improve. 

It's the only class of its type in inner-city Newcastle. 

The Department of Education told parents in private meetings they should consider enrolling elsewhere or risk missing out on a place.

It's understood, while the kids could stay at the school in a mainstream class, they didn't qualify for funding for additional support in that setting.

Nick Pringle says his son is flourishing at school, and there's no alternatives if he has to move.

"The two IM classes that are even within cooee of Islington Public School don't guarantee a place next year," Mr Pringle said.

"That's quite aside from having to uproot the child, take him out of his social setting, all of his mates and his local community."

"In a year where Dylan Alcott can win Australian of the Year, where we're looking at diversity and disability support, it just seems absolutely counter-intuitive and counter-good practice to be making an early support intervention disappear."

More than 400 people have now signed the petition to save the class.

Mr Pringle hopes the support from the community will be enough to convince the Department to extend a lifeline.

"It's been really heartening, it's been quite touching, a little bit humbling, actually, how quickly people have come forward," Mr Pringle said.

"Now I hope we can carry that over, so the Department of Education are listening."

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.

New support for service-people and their families in Singleton

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Soldier On has expanded its pathways program with the launching of new employment support in Singleton.

The program offers free practical employment and education support for veterans and their families.

It also offers guidance opportunities for education, assisting in the transition from serving, to civilian careers.

Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich says the program currently reaches more than 6,000 Australian veterans and their families but the new program at Singleton provides practical support like no other.

"This is actually very unique and it something we're doing in consultation with Lieutenant Colonel James Smith who's the commander at the school of infantry in singleton," he says.

He says the new program in Singleton is ground breaking and, "Its not just the member of the ADF that we're helping, but we're actually helping a spouse or a family member obtain gainful employment."

One of the key challenges facing those serving in the ADF is their postings around the country often cause disruption for the family. Soldier On aims to help stabilise the family unit by offering support through education and employment.

Soldier On's Services include a range of mental health and wellbeing services, and Ivan Slavich says they follow a HELP acronym to describe their work.

"H stands for health and wellbeing, E is employment transition, L is learning and education and P is participation and social connection for those serving and ex-serving members of the ADF".

He says, "This is an excellent pilot in singleton because its a model that ought to be adopted at many military bases around the country."

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." 

Helping Hunter Families at Christmas Time

BY: ALEX MURRAY


Starting today, the Cessnock City Council's Christmas Gift and Food appeal are asking for donations during the festive season to help the less unfortunate families in the community.

The donations will go towards the Kurri Kurri Community Centre as well as the Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood centre which already has substantial contributions annually from the Hunter region.

As part of the Christmas appeal, the council is asking for any generous donation of toys and non-perishable food items which can be dropped off under the Christmas tree at the Cessnock City Council administration.

The Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent says, "The donations mean a lot to local families that are doing it tough this festive season."

"Throughout the year, not just Christmas, we are assisting around 40 families in the area which equates to more than 80 children"

"I think we have a very caring community and this is how they share their support to the wider area."

Donation Drop of Points include:

Cessnock Administration Building: 62-78 Vincent Street Cessnock

Kurri Kurri Library: 245 Lang Street Kurri Kurri NSW

Cessnock Library: 63/65 Vincent St, Cessnock NSW