UPDATES from Rotary SAFE Families Champions meeting: 5.8.2021

Present: Anne Josefberg, Rotary Canterbury; Gerry Lambourne, Brighton North; Steven Holmes, Horsham East;  Gabe Hau, E-Club Melbourne; Joan Scott, Kew;  Madhu Bishnu, India; Glenda Bryson, Keilor; Lili Teichman, Glen Eira; Rachel Cassidy, Malvern; Lee Smith-Moir, Yarraville; Kerry Kornhauser, Melbourne. 

Apologies: Penny Broome, Malvern; Mary Barry, Melbourne; Nicole McDonald and Pam Thorpe,  Bateman’s Bay; Peter Killey, Brighton North; Pete Lee, Rotary Lavington.

So terrific to gather 12 of our SAFE Families Champions online. Unfortunately, many Champions were unable to attend due to snap lockdown in Victoria and time clash with their Rotary weekly meeting.  BUT, Dorothy was so heartened with the fantastic response to the SAFE Families invitation to the first meeting. There was some great brain storming and ideas ricocheting through the Zoom room! Great energy online!

It proves that we are all in this together and we CAN make a difference in Stopping Abuse in Families Everywhere.

Discussion Outcomes:

• All endorsed the concept that Rotary SAFE Families is NOT a Rotary Project, but a moral responsibility of Australians to prevent family abuse;
• Improved interest by Rotarians and Clubs, by now providing a “Champion” to update Members from their Club rather than the slow process of a Club becoming an Ambassador Club and having to have Board approval;
• That Facebook and LinkedIn are more popular than websites these days. So Rotary SAFE Families will regularly post on Facebook to promote to a bigger audience.  Champions agreed to “LIKE” and “SHARE” to spread the Rotary SAFE Families mission and messages far and wide. 
• Great interest was shown in supporting children impacted by abuse or witnessing abuse. Dorothy is looking at creating a third film based on abuse/impact to children. More news later on this.
• “Hand signal” Campaign was offered by a Champion as an acknowledged method for prevention of abuse and a call for help by a victim.

https://www.mamamia.com.au/domestic-violence-hand-signal   SAFE Families will endorse promotion of this very important primary prevention tool.

• “Ask for Angela”! This terrific method of prevention of abuse was provided by one of the Champions.  Again Rotary SAFE Families will commence promotion for the Angela Campaign via Facebook and website. See: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-10/ask-for-angela-safety-campaign-launched-in-sydney/9971984

• Let’s look at Clubs providing the Emergency Phone numbers, as listed on the back of the Wallet Cards, via printed flyers placed in GP waiting rooms et al. Place your Club logo on this flyer to promote Rotary whilst providing emergency support for a victim.
• Decision made after discussion, that Rotary SAFE Families will not enter into any fundraising at this point in time. SAFE Families is about as many Rotarians and public understand and applying the “3RRR’s” of primary prevention:
  • Recognise the signs of abuse
  • Raise your concerns safely with victim
  • Refer victim to appropriate support/000 or make the call yourself!

• That we open discussions around the topic of abuse with our family, friends, colleagues to de-stigmatise abuse being a “taboo” subject.

A huge thank you and appreciation for all the Champions who are stepping up and making a difference in the prevention of family abuse, just by sharing, talking and encouraging Rotarians to be part of the solution to family abuse. A reminder: Please update your Rotary Club with outcomes from the Champion Meeting, or via an item posted in your Bulletin/Newsletter.  Small ask but big impact!

 It is costing you nothing other than a little time!   Would love to see you at our next meeting in 2 months.

 Until then,

Onwards and Upwards,

Dorothy Gilmour

info@rotarysafefamilies.org.au