Women Up North Housing (WUNH) work with women and children who are survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence and abuse, assisting them with housing and creating positive change in their lives.
But just as important is creating change in the community, especially when you look at the fact that an estimated 2.2 million Australian women (or 22 per cent) have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
Couple this with the fact that there is a reporting rate, for example in SA, of seven per cent, then you are looking at 93 per cent of sexual assaults going unreported.
Responding to the need for change in the community and the workforce WUNH have developed face-to-face and online training courses for all workers in northern NSW (Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Grafton, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Kyogle) on how to help people respond to others who have experienced sexual violence and how to prevent sexual violence.
‘For all workers in Australia, the reality is that they are in the proximity of sexual violence survivors; they are in contact with victims of sexual violence,’ explained Elena Manning, who developed the course for WUN.
‘In the last four to five years, there has been a horrendous increase in sexual violence. Just speak to the police, sexual assault services or look at the bureau of statistics. And women are overwhelming victims, and men are the perpetrators of sexual violence against women.’
The courses are based on giving people the skills to understand what is happening in our society, why it has happened, what is underlying it, and how people can respond in their personal and work lives.
‘We teach people simple words or phrases that you can use that helps that survivor feel heard and understood and seek professional help,’ said Elena.
‘Through the courses we teach people how to manage disclosures so that they can enable that person’s path to healing and recovery. You get access to many resources in these courses, including to a referral list of professional sexual violence services that are free that can help survivors manage the reality they are facing.’
Free training
The face-to-face training is available to businesses and all workers for free until June 30 this year, from 9.15am to 3pm. The free online course, which takes two to three hours to complete, also has funding until June 30. However, WUNH have committed to supporting the online training into the future. You will also receive a Certificate of Completion.
‘We need men who aren’t perpetrators to stand up and take action, leading the way to stopping male violence against women,’ says Elena.
Visit wunh.org.au/workforce-response for more information.
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