City of Stirling and Holyoake partnership to strengthen support for women experiencing family and domestic violence
The City of Stirling and Holyoake have joined forces to improve support for women escaping family and domestic violence at the Stirling Women’s Centre.
The City of Stirling and Holyoake have joined forces to improve support for women escaping family and domestic violence at the Stirling Women’s Centre.
The new partnership comes as the City launches its Stirling Women’s Centre Christmas Appeal and prepares to get involved in a range of activities for 16 Days in WA, an annual campaign to stop violence against women.
The centre, which is managed by the City, has provided short-term crisis accommodation to thousands of women and children over the past 45 years.
It also delivers the Safe at Home program, helping women and children stay in their home if it is safe to do so.
Under an arrangement made possible by State Government funding, Holyoake is delivering specialised training to the Stirling Women’s Centre team, covering issues such as building rapport and trust, alcohol and other drugs, risk management and harm minimisation.
The partnership will empower the staff and volunteers to provide even more meaningful support to people in crisis, particularly those with complex needs.
It was officially launched today at an event attended by Holyoake CEO Lorraine Keane and City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin.
“We welcome the collaborative approach by the City of Stirling to develop a co-designed training program for the Women’s Centre,” Ms Keane said.
“Holyoake is delivering tailored alcohol and other drug training to assist the team at the Women’s Centre to support their clients with complex needs.
“The training will ensure employees of the Women’s Centre can respond appropriately to alcohol and other drug presentations, understand the impact and have the means to refer onto alcohol and other drug counselling supports.”
To make the festive season a little brighter for women and children in crisis, the Stirling Women’s Centre Christmas Appeal has returned for 2024.
During the appeal, the community is asked to donate new, unwrapped items that can be used as presents for children and adults, including gift cards.
Non-perishable food donations and supermarket gift cards are also welcome.
The City also coordinates Naala Djookan Healing Centre in Mirrabooka, where a range of organisations deliver trauma-informed therapeutic support in an inclusive and culturally responsive environment.
Both centres will participate in the 16 Days in WA campaign, which starts on November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said the City was passionate about delivering practical and meaningful help to families experiencing violence.
“The Stirling Women’s Centre is the only local government-managed refuge in the State, and this new partnership with Holyoake will improve support for women and children in crisis,” Mayor Irwin said.
“If we want to reduce family and domestic violence, there needs to be a cultural shift away from the coercive and abusive behaviour that leads to violence.
“That cultural shift needs to happen across our society, from our schools to all levels of government – everyone needs to step up.
“Campaigns like 16 Days in WA keep this issue in the spotlight and keep it on the State's conscience.”
The City’s 16 Days in WA activities include:
Staff from the Stirling Women’s Centre and Naala Djookan Healing Centre will have stalls at the 34th March Against Domestic and Family Violence in Perth’s Forrest Chase. The event runs from 10.00am to 1.00pm on 25 November, with the march starting at 12.00noon.
Staff from the two centres will also have stalls at Breaking the Silence on Family Violence in Joondalup. The event will run from 9.30am to 12.00noon on 3 December at Central Park, including speeches from survivors and a march.
The City has partnered with Lifeline WA to provide free family and domestic violence training from 10.00am to 12.00noon on November 30 at Stirling Leisure – Mirrabooka. Attendees will learn about recognising the signs of family and domestic violence, responding safely and referral options for someone experiencing violence.
Stirling Libraries – Osborne will host an art display by Perth’s Denise Pepper exploring the rising tide of violence against women. All City libraries will give the community an opportunity to share their thoughts and support for 16 Days in WA by writing on paper butterflies.
The City will install a new purple bench at Robinson Reserve in Tuart Hill to raise awareness about family and domestic violence and honour the victims, joining the other seven already in place across the City as part of the Purple Bench Project.
