Violence starts with disrespect – and a woman reports domestic violence every two minutes in Australia, with many unable to escape, or risking of homelessness for them and their children, if they do.
Armidale Women’s Refuge CEO Penny Lamaro shared the stark reality of domestic violence and controlling abuse with Year 10 and 11 students at The Armidale School on Wednesday (21 August) as part of an ongoing campaign raising awareness and support for those in need in the local community.
“Statistically, most women who get murdered knew their assailant. Leaving is not always the safe and easy option, compounding stresses that are costly and exhaustive. And for those that do, the risks are more than just the physical harm, such as the loss of dignity, independence, financial security and education for children,” she said.
Ms Lamaro said almost 600 people contacted the Armidale Women’s Shelter in the past 12 months with half requiring emergency accommodation, often arriving in just what they wearing – a 25 percent increase in the past two years, with no extra resources.
For students, the talk gave context to their efforts of previous days supporting local charities in need. The campaign started last Friday with a pyjama-clad mufti day and canned food drive, which included students donating more than a tonne of packaged food which the SRC and staff then shelved at the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre.
Then on Saturday evening 74 students and 12 staff took part in the annual TAS Sleepout. Throughout the night, students and staff including Principal (and Women’s Shelter Board Member) Dr Rachel Horton, Deputy Principal Mr Ray Pearson and Armidale Mayor Cr Sam Coupland, rotated through two-hour shifts, cooking and packaging 144 meals for the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre. At the same time, Duke of Edinburgh Award students organised various activities including sorting and boxing up hundreds of items of clothing for children 0-5 years of age, donated by Junior School families for the Women’s Refuge.
“The in-kind support you have done and continue to do is invaluable,” Ms Lamaro told students. “I would ask you also, though, to think about what you can do for the community you live in so it is safe and a place where women don’t have to bear the mental and physical load of domestic violence.”
TAS Challenge and Service Co-ordinator Jim Pennington said the student’s response to the initiatives were heartwarming.
“It was so wonderful to hear students speak of wanting to help those less fortunate, planning other activities they could run in support, and asking to become part of the weekly cooking service activity for Armidale Neighbourhood Centre which we have been running at school for almost four years. Of course it would not be possible to the many staff who also gave up their time to assist in various ways, setting an example of service alongside our students.”
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