So, this is a bit of a different blog!
“One in three Australian women and one in five men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. Two women every week are dying as a result of domestic violence”.. If you’re concerned or need help call DVCS on 6280 0900.
“Every 4 hours, someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, friend, colleague, or neighbour commits suicide in Australia”.. Just call Lifeline if you need someone non judgemental to talk to on 131 114.
Taking a forced time-out from fishing for shoulder surgery has meant keeping myself occupied. One handed fly tying lasted about 6 minutes; reading and tv (boring after a bit – I’d read the Snow Kimono before it was announced as winning the Premier’s literature award), and the dog’s complaining about all the walking. So I looked at all the invitations marked as tentative in the diary, and even though attending gala events is not really my thing, what the heck, what else did I have on?
So I accepted invitations to two charity events in two weeks; supporting the efforts of amazing people doing amazing jobs.
The first was the Blue and White Gala Ball organised by the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service (the DVCS). The aim of the ball was to raise awareness about domestic violence, a plague in our privileged and self indulgent society – with one in three Australian women and one in five men being a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
The guest speaker was Australian of the year Rosie Batty who spoke passionately about her personal experience; the entertainment was from Kate Ceberano – who absolutely rocked! I’ve included more about DVCS below but like so many organisations of this kind they do a great job on a very modest budget.
The second event was the Lifeline Canberra Gala Dinner in the ANZAC Hall at the Australian War Memorial. The first thing, (as a War Memorial fan) the venue was amazing. Eating dinner under the port wing of “G for George” was awesome, upstaged only by the passion which every speaker gave to the cause of suicide prevention. A sobering 2,500 Australians commit suicide every year, the greatest single cause of death amongst 15 to 45 year old people – 7 people a day, more than one every four hours. 
The entertainment was by Lee Kernaghan who sang from his Spirit of the ANZACs album as well as the traditional crowd-pleasers. Brendan Nelson spoke brilliantly, as did the Lifeline staff of their experiences. Lee sold the guitar he played on stage at auction for a cool 8k. Momentarily I thought I had it at 2k before the big guns joined the fray. More about Lifeline below.
The key stated goal of both events was awareness and it worked. The second was to share the knowledge, which is why I wrote this blog. Just to share some knowledge.
Cheers all; see you in a few months once the shoulder is better.
Steve
About DVCS
DVCS is a community organisation that seeks to address violence and abuse in family and intimate partner relationships and to promote respect in these relationships.
We encourage people who use violence and abuse in family and intimate partner relationships to take responsibility for, and cease, this behaviour.
“DVCS supports all people subjected to violence or abuse regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds, immigration status, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, culture or ethnic background”.
DVCS supports all people affected by domestic/family violence. This includes people who are subjected to violence and abuse and people who use violence and abuse. Notwithstanding this, our service does prioritise the needs of people subjected to violence and abuse.
DVCS recognises that the majority of people subjected to violence and abuse in family and intimate partner relationships are women and children, and that children are particularly vulnerable. But men too are subjected to violence and abuse and we encourage them to contact us.
DVCS provides 24/7:
- Attendance with ACT Policing at, or just after, incidents to support those affected
- Telephone crisis counselling and support
- Information about relevant services and safety options
- Access to emergency accommodation
- Advocacy and support during Court proceedings, both civil and criminal
- Support groups
- One on one outreach to children and their families who experience of have witnessed violence
- Case tracking (when the person using violence is charged with an offence)
- Information about relevant services and safety options
- Provide a link between people subjected to violence and other authorities, and
- Community education and training
If you are concerned about someone’s behaviour call the DVCS crisis line on 02 6280 0900. Conversations are not recorded.
About Lifeline
http://www.act.lifeline.org.au/
Lifeline is non-judgemental, confidential and accessible at all times.
Every hour of every day, trained Telephone Crisis Support volunteers are available to people of the ACT and local region. For more than 40 years trained volunteers have provided an invaluable service to the community.
Lifeline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many services and private practitioners refer clients to our service for support between appointments and after hours.
Telephone Crisis Support Volunteers provide skilled and knowledgeable support to our callers when they are in crisis. They listen with care and acceptance, whatever the circumstance, and provide referrals based on need and circumstance. Some of the crises that our callers experience include: suicide, relationships, mental health issues, loneliness, addictions, bereavement, physical health problems, etc.
Lee Rocks
