WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?
29-October-2010
Friday 29th October, 2010
WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?
The Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella was proud to be on hand in Canberra yesterday morning where three local projects were recognised nationally for their efforts in preventing and stemming violence in our community.
In congratulating local award winners, Mrs. Mirabella said “The Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards are recognition of local community based projects that go the extra mile in providing safety nets to vulnerable people in our community.”
The highlight of the awards was that two were given to Women’s Health Goulburn North East and the third to NESAY, all of which are based right here in Wangaratta.
Since the Bsafe Pilot Project began, it has protected 74 women and 146 children from domestic violence by employing a personal alarm system with risk management strategies.
Raped by a Partner was launched by Women’s Health Goulburn North East 12 months later and is a research based educational tool for health and legal professionals as well as the community. It is aimed at recognising and reducing this hidden crime that affects one in ten women in our community.
The third local based award winning program, Walk the Talk, is run by NESAY and has had approximately 350 young males between 12 and 17, who use aggression and violence, participate. The positive results show a clear and sustainable reduction in aggression and violence.
Mrs. Mirabella said “The Bsafe Pilot Project has seen only one client physically assaulted by a former partner, an outstanding tribute to its success.”
The Bsafe Pilot Project started with a $230,420 Howard Government grant in 2007.
The sad thing is that the Bsafe Project is now in jeopardy because the State Labor Government has failed to provide ongoing funding while they are wasting billions of dollars on a waterless desalination plant. Surely they can find some money for such a worthy programme.
Mrs. Mirabella concluded that “The state government should reassess the funding situation, given yesterday’s award and the magnificent results achieved.”
“They must not diminish the value of such programmes by reducing them to mere dollar figures in a budget.”
*ENDS*