Toolkit to help people stay safe at home

A NEW resource is now available to City of Greater Geelong residents looking for support or information about domestic violence.

The Safe at Home toolkit was created by a collaboration between the G21 Prevention of Violence Against Women Health Services Alliance, the City of Greater Geelong council and Diversitat.

Cr Pat Murnane said the free online toolkit has been formed as a response to the coronavirus and the significant increase in domestic violence cases it has brought.

“The uncertainly and isolation that has come with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created challenges for all of us so it’s important the community takes care and looks out for one another.

“There is help available and this toolkit has local information and contacts that can guide people to find the support they need.”

Safe at Home will remain relevant after restrictions ease, with updates and curated content to be added. It includes advice for people experiencing violence as well as for people who choose to use violence.

G21 chief executive officer Elaine Carbines said everyone could contribute to the problem by using the toolkit.

“Family violence is a scourge across our community, and I encourage people to download the toolkit to help identify ways in which all members of our community can work to reduce its incidence.”

The toolkit also includes specific information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people living with a disability, LGBTQIA+ people, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Diversitat acting chief executive officer Brian McMahon said the charity had looked to ensure language did not impair people from accessing the information.

“The pandemic has presented new challenges with how we communicate with CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities.

“Diversitat was proud to create family violence video resources in a number of key languages, including Karen, Arabic, Dari and Karreni, to spread the message that family violence is never okay.”