WORKING TOGETHER TO BEAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COLLECTIVE ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEEKS SOLUTIONS
RECENT tragedies have shown the need for agencies working together to combat the problem of domestic violence, with an upcoming conference in Dubbo, aiming to achieve just that.
Timing of this year’s annual get-together of the Dubbo Violence Prevention Collective, is even more-urgent than ever, spokesperson, Mark Noonan said.
Entitled: “From Violence to Safety – Partners in Preventing Domestic, Family and Sexual Abuse” the event will include policy-makers, industry leaders, experts, and frontline providers of services, aiming to collaborate and learn from each other on this vexing issue, he explained.
“The aim of the Collective, and the conference, is to bring-together those who work in the sector, but is not limited to these, anyone can attend the event,” Mark said.
“it’s an opportunity to connect to other leaders and providers, to tap into their skillsets and approaches,” he added.
The event is at the Savannah Room at Taronga Western Plains Zoo on Tuesday, June 4, and tickets are available from 123Tix with registrations open until Tuesday, May 21.
Keynote speaker is Dr Hannah
Tonkin, inaugural Women’s Safety Commissioner, who provides leadership and oversight across government in NSW to strengthen responses to gendered violence.
Supporting Dr Tonkin will be leaders from NSW Police, Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services, NSW Community Corrections, and victim survivors.
This is an issue that impacts heavily on many lives in the district, with Dubbo Regional Local Government Area being ranked seventh in the State for domestic violence-related assault in 2023; with five of the 10 highest number-of-incidents NSW LGAS being in
Orana and the wider Central West.
“The issue of domestic and family violence has gained increasing media attention and public awareness and needs continued recognition and discussion in the public realm,” Collective Chair, Angela Coker said.
“Domestic and family violence is never acceptable, and families and community members play a significant role in the importance of speaking up if they see or suspect something, and these displays strengthens this message and emphasises that together, we can break the silence and bring a voice to domestic and
family violence,” she added.
Mark said that the issue of domestic violence is a complex one, involving as it often does, drug and alcohol usage, gambling addiction, mental health issues, and a family history of abuse.
“Disadvantage and poverty are contributors to this problem, and this region is high in the State for these factors.
“The members are at the coal-face of this issue, and our aim is to support victims of domestic abuse, and perpetrators, also.”
For those who may want to attend, bookings cost $40 per person, or $360 for a table of 10.