Share the Dignity

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The festive season is a time for indulgence and spending time with friends and family. But tragically, incidences of domestic violence skyrocket at this time of year. And when women are forced to flee dangerous situations, important things are all-too-often left behind.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison is calling on the community to support Share The Dignity's holiday campaign #It'sInTheBag. Women are encouraged to donate old (or new) handbags in reasonable condition, along with toiletries, to the charity.

Share The Dignity will then distribute the bags to local charities who help women in need. Ms Aitchison says when women are fleeing domestic violence or dangerous home situations, small but important things like shampoo or tissues are often forgotten.

"Coming up to Christmas it's usually a peak in numbers of domestic violence incidents. Often [the women] will just leave with perhaps their wallet and their keys and that's about it."

She says during this stressful time, mothers trying to look after their children and hold down their job can't afford to focus on the small items needed to stay comfortable and clean. This year, It's In The Bag needs shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and sanitary items.

 "This is just a small part everyone in the community can play in trying to help these women feel that they are cared for."

She says the items don't need to be expensive or fancy, and everything helps in making women feel " clean and comfortable and safe" and to help keep their dignity.

Drop-off locations for donations include Ms Aitchison's office 34 Church Street Maitland, or any Bunnings Warehouse. The full list and more information is available at the Share The Dignity website. The campaign is running until December 2nd.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison Pushes to Increase Domestic Violence Leave

BY SARAH JAMES

Maitland MP and Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jenny Aitchison, is calling for the NSW Government to extend existing paid domestic leave entitlements to 10 days.

Five days paid domestic violence leave was introduced by the Kristina Keneally Labor government in 2011, but not all public servants are eligible for the leave. Employees must also exhaust all paid leave before accessing domestic violence leave. 

The Council of Australian Governments in December 2016 expressed the importance of encouraging employers to provide workplace support for employees experiencing domestic violence. This leave can be used to seek counselling and attend court appearances. 

The Berejiklian Government at this stage has no plans on extending the leave to 10 days. This follows the Fair Work Commission's decision to dismiss an application from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to include an entitlement of 10 days paid domestic violence leave in all modern awards at this time.

Jenny Aitchison

Carrie's Place to Expand in 2017

BY TANYA DU PREEZ

Maitland's anti-domestic violence service and homeless shelter Carrie's Place plans to expand into the heart of the city next year.

Coordinator Jenny Harland said the soaring statistics of domestic violence in Maitland had necessitated a drastic expansion of the service in the near future.

"We've totally outgrown the resource centre," Ms Harland said.

"We need to increase our space and expand our operations, so we're pursuing somewhere to move in Maitland."

The organisation plans to move to new headquarters which will include a car park, access to public transport and security for people fleeing violence.

CEO Jan McDonald says she hopes the expansion will make Carrie's Place more efficient and welcoming.

"We currently just have the one property, and clients sometimes have to sit out in the garden, in the children's room, in the kitchen where our groceries are - because there's just not enough room at all here," she said.

"We are looking at moving to facilities that allow our clients to feel safer and afford them a bit more dignity."

The move will be funded by money raised by the members of Carrie's Place and the community.

Hunter Women's Shelter Receives $5000 Donation

BY TANYA DU PREEZ

Maitland domestic violence and homelessness service Carrie's Place has received $5000 in donations from local businessman Guy McKendry.

The donations come in the form of gift vouchers, which clients will be able to exchange for important products for themselves and their children at Rutherford Amcal Pharmacy.

Carrie's Place CEO Jan McDonald says she is pleased with the generosity of the Maitland business community.

"This donation from Guy and his team will mean a lot to the women who use our service," Ms McDonald said.

"Often when our clients leave an abusive relationship they take limited personal products with them, and being able to replace those items is important."

Women's shelter Carrie's Place has received $5000 in donations

Streamlined Support For Hunter Victims Of Domestic Violence

BY IAN CROUCH

 There will soon be more support for victims of domestic violence in the Hunter, with the state government rolling out the Safer Pathway program.

Following a trial at six sites across the NSW, the government has committed $53-million over four years to expand the program statewide, with 21 locations being rolled out in 2016-17.


Up until now, victims of domestic violence have had to tell their story over and over again to the various support agencies trying to help them, which in turn leaves them more traumatised and more likely to give up and return to an abusive relationship.

The Safer Pathway program will bring together all government and non-government agencies such as police and local domestic and family violence services around the table at Safety Action Meetings each fortnight to coordinate support for victims on a case-by-case basis.

The program is being initially rolled out in the Newcastle and Port Stephens Police Local Area Commands from November, however it's expected the Lake Macquarie, Central Hunter and Hunter Valley Local Area Commands will soon join the program.

The service will be coordinated by the Hunter Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service who will appoint a Safety Action Meeting coordinator to set up the meetings, prepare an agenda and gather all the information required so the agency representatives can effectively discuss each case and target the support required.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Assault, Pru Goward says it's about helping victims of domestic violence break the cycle of abuse.

"We want victims to move on with their lives. We don;t want to see victims re-victimised by going back to violent relationships, and we know that Safety Action Meetings mean that all that work, all that support can be put around a victim at the same time," she said.

Pru Goward