DOMESTIC violence and bullying awareness will be the central focus for City of Ballarat youth ambassadors this year.<\/p>\n
The group of young people are working on creating an infographic giving young people information about where they can seek help from domestic violence and creating safe spaces in schools for students to ask for help.<\/p>\n
The youth ambassador program is designed to give young people a voice and allow them to implement changes they would like to see in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Anushka Kalra and Dhalya Mudugamuwa are two of the young people involved in the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cI joined to voice my opinions and create change within the community because it\u2019s really hard to make change in your school,\u201d said Anushka.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really supportive environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, leadership positions at school, there\u2019s probably only a couple of them and the school sometimes doesn\u2019t take peoples\u2019 opinions into account.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year the group have chosen domestic violence as one of their topics of focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think it\u2019s an important issue because it effects everyone and people face this in today\u2019s society,\u201d said Dhalya.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot many people know what to do about it and even if you want to do something about it there\u2019s not much you can do because the resources aren\u2019t available everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
The youth ambassador are working on a range of projects they are hoping to implement in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went around putting up stickers and posters advocating against violence against women on International Women\u2019s Day,\u201d said Anushka.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thinking about implementing a website with resources that more young people in Ballarat can access and know where to access.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso possibly little spaces within schools which can address topics like this and have maybe in person or online support that the students can be provided with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dhalya said the youth ambassadors hope these small changes will make a big difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this project we can address social issues and make them available to people who may not know anything about where to get this support,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Ballarat we want a place where everyone can feel safe and happy and in harmony with everyone else.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to minimise the problems in our community and maximise the benefits, to young people especially.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DOMESTIC violence and bullying awareness will be the central focus for City of Ballarat youth ambassadors this year. The group of young people are working on creating an infographic giving young people information about where they can seek help from domestic violence and creating safe spaces in schools for students to ask for help. The […]<\/p>\n