A discrete, nondescript brochure small enough to be tucked away in a bra or a shoe could be the key to safety for a domestic violence survivor.
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That’s the hope of Zonta Club of Albury-Wodonga president Joanne Metzger, who has submitted a funding proposal to Border Trust to develop the resource.
Mrs Metzger said the club, best known for providing birthing kits to women in developing countries, had turned its attention to domestic violence.
“All clubs around the world have been encouraged to have a project and I wanted to take it further locally,” she said.
“We know it’s something that affects at least one in three women and from my personal experience, I know what it’s done to my life.
“As a child, I grew up with a very violent and controlling father.
“It’s something that has to be handled so carefully; it’s a very complex situation.”
Mrs Metzger said Zonta was working with more than 10 organisations including council and police on both sides of the Border to develop the emergency information brochure.
“The idea would be to have several thousands printed to go to police and health professionals to hand out at appropriate times,” she said.
“We will have a big campaign during the sixteen days of action with White Ribbon Day.”
Albury Community Health sexual assault services co-ordinator Kelley Latta said the resource would be helpful for medical professionals who could not always keep up to date with relevant support services.
“Albury Wodonga Health ran an inter-professional forum on domestic and family violence, so Zonta came along,” she said.
“There were many people saying we needed better distribution of information … to navigate services helpful to women, men and anyone impacted by violence in their relationship.
“We also know much of the time women aren’t in a position to leave, so to provide them with information to access when they need it is the most helpful thing to do.
“It even has information on where to find safe accommodation for pets and information for same-sex attracted people – it’s looking holistically at the issue.
“Zonta thought that resource was something achievable for them.”
Mrs Metzger and Albury Wodonga Health will seek funding for the resource and to develop an additional specialist brochure for the Aboriginal community.
Zonta’s Women’s Day dinner on March 8, featuring speaker Penny Vine and the outstanding woman of achievement award, will also support the project.
To buy a ticket, contact vice-president Alison Veld at zontaalburywodonga@yahoo.com.au.
