Our website: www.rotarysafefamilies.org.au
For all your Ambassador Club information and latest news
How do we start a dialogue with you about family violence? This has been the major obstacle for Rotary SAFE Families. Because SAFE Families is about violence, and violence is a very powerful unpleasant term, it is not something we would normally choose to explore and discuss with friends and family. Maybe a "taboo" subject for you?
For that reason, we are using the word “abuse” to describe the program, Rotary Melbourne has created as part of its 100 Year Centenary. Rotary SAFE Families describes the various ways that we can cease being the inactive bystander and instead become Part of the Solution in Prevention of Abuse.
SAFE represents: “Stopping Abuse in Families Everywhere”.
We are committed to make a difference to the horrific statistics that we read daily in our media. Do you remember the Traffic Accident Commission’s most famous slogan If You Drink, Then Drive, You're a Bloody Idiot, which was introduced in 1989? This slogan has become a catch-phrase in Australia. The campaign has been highly successful in the quest to prevent drink driving accidents, albeit it has taken many years for us and following generations to respect the message about drink driving.
We have a chance now for Rotarians everywhere to successfully campaign and become an Amassador for the prevention of abuse in Australia. Yes, it will take time for the acceptance and respect that any form of abuse is Not the Norm!
Rotary SAFE Families is about Stopping Abuse in Families Everywhere
SAFE Families is not about pushing the horrific stories of abuse; it is not a “blame game” but a “change game” and is focused on the “3 RRR’s”:
Recognise – the signs, behaviours and culture that drive abuse
Raise – your voice and call it out safely
Refer – for support
Watch the films with their powerful messages around learning to recognise abuse, be informed and able to safely raise your concerns and then refer the victim or possible victim, to Police (if emergency) and/or an appropriate support agency in your neighbourhood.
Rotary Melbourne with support from District 9800 and Rotary Foundation Australia Ltd., are committed to long term campaigning to PREVENT abuse in families everywhere. This is a Call for Action to every Rotarian to help make this happen.
There is a Rotary quotation: “Rotarians are here to help others.”
Well, Rotary SAFE Families is here to help Rotarians - help others!
These films showcase what you need to know to stem the flow of violence against women, children and the elderly in our community.
What is SAFE Families?
Check out this short promo: Rotary SAFE Families promo
Check out our website: www.rotarysafefamilies.org.au
WHO ARE WE?
Rotary Safe Families has been created by two Rotarians who want to make a positive difference to the world by the prevention of family violence in particular violence against women and their children and elder abuse.
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 not rely on Police and social services to manage this epidemic of violence: 'We must make changes now we must ensure our children and grandchildren do not perpetrate this lack of respect for humanity.'
As a passionate Rotarian, Editor of Bulletin and 'champion' of Rotary SAFE Families for Rotary Melbourne, you will hear her distinctive: "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.
