‘Rotary SAFE Families’ was established over three years ago to help stop all forms of family violence by addressing its underlying causes. It has evolved into a national program with valuable resources and tools including images and short films to assist every Rotarian in every part of Australia to play their part in stopping abuse in families everywhere.
Here is one of the excellent videos:
Now, with an active website and the Rotary Ambassador Club Program in place, Rotary Clubs around Australia are signing up to promote the program's powerful messages to their communities, we must – all of us – take some responsibility for stopping abuse in Australia by:
Rotary SAFE Families has become a significant tool for a national collective voice rather than a single voice to stop family violence in our communities.
It is acknowledged as a Rotary 100 Year Centenary project, and supported by Rotary Australia Foundation.
Rotary SAFE Families has been created by two Rotarians who want to make a positive difference to the world by the prevention of family abuse: Abuse to women, children, men and our elderly.
Dorothy has vast experience and professional, academic history in Social Sciences including human behaviours and challenges of specialised groups.
Her main practice was in the area of trauma, loss, grief, mediation and suicide prevention for individuals, parents and families and included debriefing after a critical incident in workplaces and post community disasters. Her services included years of University lecturing in Masters programmes of Psychology, Social Science and Family Therapy.
Dorothy remains an advocate for social justice and fairness for those less fortunate. She is determined for everyday people to be part of the solution in the prevention of family violence and elder abuse across the world.
Dorothy believes that we must take some responsibility and assist our Police and social services to manage this epidemic of violence: 'We must assist a victim or possible victim of abuse, by being able to identify and report any form of abuse, not sit on our hands. Let us help to ensure our children and grandchildren do not perpetrate this lack of respect for humanity.”
A passionate Rotarian and 'champion' of Rotary SAFE Families for Rotary in Australia. "Onwards and Upwards!"
Mary Barry is a CEO with over 20 years’ experience across a number of sectors including health and aged care, emergency services and family violence.
Having heard many heart wrenching stories of violence particularly against women (and their children) and the elderly, Mary is passionate about creating a better world where women, men, boys and girls can live free from the fear of violence, particularly from those who they should be able to trust and from those who are supposed to love them.
Mary is a Past President of Rotary Melbourne, Chair of the Community Welfare Committee, District 9800 Vocational Service Chair and Chair of the Host Organising Committee for the Rotary 2023 (International) Convention Melbourne. Mary has worked in partnership with Dorothy to create the Rotary SAFE Families program and is confident that by working together we can all be part of the solution in preventing violence against women and their children and the elderly in our community.
