GCF provide community grant to support SAFV Centre

THE Geelong Community Foundation will provide $1.34 million worth of community grants later this year, including a significant donation which will support locals experiencing sexual assault and family violence.

The local institution will provide a $76,000 grant over two years to The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) to assist them in providing free and confidential trauma-informed services across the Barwon region.

The funding will primarily be directed towards the Respect Starts Here program, a primary prevention initiative targeted at community leaders and changemakers, aged 14 years and older.

The $76,000 grant will mean Geelong Community Foundation, The SAFV Centre and AFL Barwon will run the program free of charge at local football and netball clubs.

Geelong Community Foundation chief executive officer, Gail Rodgers said the group were proud to support the SAFV Centre amidst family violence incidents rapidly increasing in the Geelong region during the past 12 months.

“Family violence causes significant physical, emotional, psychological and financial harm to those who experience it.

“Gender inequality creates the social conditions for family violence to occur.

“Attitudes need to change and the ‘Respect Starts Here’ program is an initiative that we have funded in order to support this change.”

Ms Rodgers said the plan will be to work with local sporting clubs on the program to build awareness and understanding of the drivers and impacts of sexual and family violence.

“We all have a role to play in creating safe and supportive environments.

“The Geelong Community Foundation’s funding of this program will support members of football and netball clubs across the region to build their skills and confidence to speak up and challenge disrespectful behaviour.”

The SAFV Centre chief executive officer Helen Bolton said the aim of the initiative will be to strengthen participants awareness and understand of sexual and family violence.

“The program is focused on promoting gender equality in sport, supporting clubs through the delivery of active bystander workshops that equip members and players with strategies and tools to challenge casual sexism, gendered expectations, and the condoning of sexual and family violence.

“Sporting clubs and institutions are priority areas for addressing violence against women given that sport is an influential and integral part of Australian culture and identity.”

For the full list of Geelong Community Foundation grants, head to www.geelongfoundation.org/

If you or someone you know needs support for sexual and family violence, contact The SAFV Centre on 03 5222 4318 or [email protected]