On 24 November 2008 Sydney woke to the horrifying news that the number of women and children murdered in domestic violence is at a ten year high. In a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, was quoted as saying that so often in these situations families fall through the cracks of the system and that identifying risk factors for domestic violence would significantly reduce the death toll.
Clearly this is a call for action at a systemic level, but the daily reality is that many women and children are escaping from horrific violence and need support right there and then with very practical matters to do with safety, health and wellbeing. The Sydney Community Foundation focuses its grantmaking on smaller organisations that may not have a big profile, but who are working at the edges with Sydney's marginalised people. Conscious of the dire circumstances in which women and children fleeing domestic violence find themselves, the SCF identified a request for funds from the Sisters of Charity Outreach service. Safe Haven, a domestic violence refuge, provides 24 hour short term crisis accommodation for mothers and children affected by domestic violence. Often the mothers and their babies and children arrive at the shelter with nothing but the clothes in which they stand. The grant application was for funds to buy babies and children's clothing, formulas, bedding and health care products.
In response to this request, rather than just issue a cheque, the Sydney Community Foundation held a fundraising lunch which not only raised nearly $5000 for this grant, but also connected the 42 guests with each other and with Sr Margaret Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Sisters of Charity Outreach. Sr Margaret spoke movingly about the women and children who come to Safe Haven and the services that it provides. Safe Haven provides crisis accommodation in the Liverpool area for women and young children affected by domestic violence. Over 75% of the referrals to Safe Haven are from the Domestic Violence Help Line and the police. The families who arrive at the service receive immediate support and accommodation. This grant that has been made by the SCF, from a range of supporters in Sydney, is meeting a very immediate need, and will hopefully be just one step on the way to its recipients eventually living safe and happy lives.
The lunch was the initiative of SCF director Carole-Anne Priest, who worked tirelessly to develop the concept and engage supporters. It was generously supported by Vivo Café and its founder, Angela Vithoulkas, and wine for the lunch was kindly donated by the law firm Vardanega Roberts. Suppliers to Vivo Café donated a range of wonderful raffle prizes, which were happily taken home by the raffle winners.
For more information about the work of the Sisters of Charity Outreach, visit www.sistersofcharityoutreach.com.au.