INSPIRED by the need to help vulnerable and disadvantaged women who are experiencing family violence, a forum was held last Tuesday at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.
Across the Mitchell Shire there are increased rates of mortgage and rental stress, causing concerns for the Northern Community Legal Centre (CLC) and their networks.
The Northern CLC facilitated the forum since more than 70 per cent of their clients are impacted by financial abuse, which can lead to homelessness, debts, employment instability and even a mental health crisis.
Chief Executive Jenni Smith said their organisation started in 2016 as an amalgamation of Broadmeadows Legal Service and Moreland Community Legal Centre.
“We noticed we were not helping many women from culturally and linguistic diverse backgrounds,” she said.
“Now, around 40 per cent of our clients are of a migrant or refugee background. But we still weren’t getting to women who have newly arrived and were experiencing family violence.”
Northern CLC have turned their attention to facilitating a peer educator support program— Take the First Steps (TTFS).
Co-ordinator Rem Ali recruited six women from within the Mitchell Shire with diverse backgrounds and experiences to be mentored in all aspects of family violence, but most importantly to become familiar with all accessible local supports and resources.
The peer educators will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the program and potentially create lasting changes for women who have been impacted or are suffering from family violence and financial abuse.
Nagma Rana was one of the first to sign up.
“I saw an advertisement on a social media platform,” she said.
“I have always been interested in the social field, and I felt like this was an opportunity to grow my skills and to contribute factor to the community.
“It helps that I am linguistically diverse, when you need to let your feelings out it’s important that you can do it with someone who understands.”
Funding from Mitchell Shire Council has helped to compensate the volunteers for their valuable time with a $25 gift voucher and their meal costs covered at each session.
Gender Equality Officer Abby Eager collaborated with the peer educators on a group project to create a tote bag to use to share targeted information.
A panel of local crisis supports providers also came together with each sharing their perspectives and features of the help they offer to women across Mitchell Shire.
These included The Orange Door, Nexus Primary Health, The Sustaining Economic Empowerment and Dignity for Women (SEED) program, and the Good Shepherd.
The Sustaining Economic Empowerment and Dignity for Women (SEED) project office is located at 47A Angelsey Street, Seymour.
For more information, phone 0482 188 099 or email, seedproject@bsl.org.au
Another not-for-profit platform helping everyone recover from abusive relationships is the Good Shepherd’s Financial Independence Hub.
They have a free interpreter service and its free for everyone who has or is experiencing the impacts of family violence.
The Good Shepherd can be contacted Monday through to Friday between 7am – 7pm. For more information, phone 1300 050 150 or visit www.goodshep.org.au
The Northern CLC provides free legal advice and community legal education to people who live, work or study in the Mitchell Shire.
The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, with bookings essential.
For more information, call 9310 4376 or visit www.northernclc.org.au
If you or anyone you know needs immediate help, please contact 000.
