There is no excuse for violent relationships and the Love Bites program is actively working to change attitudes, norms and behaviours that enable, excuse or minimise the extent and impact of violence against women and children. The Brunswick Country Women’s Association (CWA) has donated $1,200 towards the program that is run in schools to help young people develop respectful relationships.
Handing over the cheque to Love Bites’s facilitator Freya Smith, CWA President Lorraine Dixon said, ‘Police in Australia deal with a domestic violence incident every two minutes. Added to this, recent media attention of the sickening behaviour in places like Federal and State Parliament, means our young people, more than ever, need to be reminded and educated in what it takes to develop decent, respectful relationships. Love Bites is a great grassroots program in schools which helps young people recognise what a healthy relationship looks, sounds and feels like so they are better informed and equipped to have and maintain healthy respectful relationships throughout their lives.’
Accepting the cheque, Freya Smith told The Echo that the money would go towards the development of a pilot program for primary schools as well as to fund art supplies for four eight-week high school programs. This pilot will run at one Ballina Primary school and another several schools on the mid-north coast. Mullumbimby and Byron High Schools have both run the Love Bites program and other schools across the region are looking to bring the successful program in.
The CWA on the corner of Booyun and Park Sts has a sewing, knitting, crochet group every Friday 10am–2pm. All skill levels welcome with the opportunity to get hints and tips for beginners.
