November was named Domestic Violence Awareness Month and street marches were staged in Newcastle, Maitland and the Port Stephens area to stress Rotary’s stance against DV.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Guest speakers at the gathering were Jill Pretty, President of the Yacaaba Centre and Matt Zimmerman, Acting Superintendent of the Port Stephens Area Command.

They relayed the impact that domestic violence is having on the local community.

They elaborated on the many forms of DV such as physical, sexual, financial and coercive control.

“This is basically the desire for the perpetrator to maintain control over another person”, explained Acting Superintendent Zimmerman.

“This has also been reported in cases where pets are mistreated in order to control their owner, and RSPCA and PAWS have indicated that this occurs in over 70 percent of cases”.

Domestic Violence is a growing problem within our communities and is largely unreported, suggesting that the problem is far greater than statistics indicate.

There are many reasons for DV to occur, mainly poor mental health, poverty, drug and alcohol problems as well as the current economic situation leading to homelessness.

The Yacaaba Centre reported that their funding has fallen in recent times, resulting in a loss of key personnel.

Jill Pretty said: “In an age when DV is increasing, this highly valued service cannot exist and we desperately need the support of the entire community”.

For further information on the Yacaaba Centre and to help with donations, visit yacaabacentre.com.au

By Simon EKINS