IN Australia, on average, a woman is killed every week as a result of domestic violence.
One in four children are exposed to domestic violence, a recognised form of child abuse.

Domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children.

In 2014, 20% of Men experienced domestic violence, so one in five men.
These are frightening statistics, and only a few of the many reasons that prompted Medowie resident Katharine Foster to put together a program to help these men and women.

In 2013, Katherine was participating in a domestic violence training program and found herself overwhelmed by the statistics and case studies of the Women included in this program.

Ms Foster told News Of The Area, “I thought to myself, there must be something I can do to help these women, using my skills and experience.”

“During the training, I had a lightbulb moment – I could help domestic violence survivors with their careers – careers counselling – to help them create or re-establish their careers are leaving their domestic violence environment.”

Ms Foster set about investigating, researching and planning.

She was shocked to find Australia offered nothing similar for these women, and only one company worldwide appeared to offer anything even similar.

Ms Foster approached that one company in America, enquiring about the potential to partner with the organisation to bring the program to Australia, but was met with disinterest and a comment of ‘surely there are things like this there already’.

“At that point in my research, I became determined to design and implement my own program in order to help these women,” Ms Foster said.

After nearly three years of planning and writing, Ms Foster has chosen Port Stephens to launch her program on 17 August, 2016.

“My personal hope is that this program will empower adult survivors of domestic violence; that the community will embrace the program, that a national and eventually global rollout will occur so that survivors are empowered and liberate,”’ Ms Foster told News Of The Area.

To obtain information about this valuable program, you can contact Katherine Foster on 1300300557 or find her webpage at www.bluripples.com.au

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN