Bunbury workshops put focus on domestic violence

Lifeline WA is encouraging frontline workers in the South West to attend a free two-day workshop on domestic and family violence in Bunbury next month.

The multicultural domestic violence alert workshop aims to improve the capacity of frontline workers to recognise the signs of domestic and family violence, respond with appropriate care and refer clients who are experiencing it or are at risk to appropriate support services.

Lifeline WA chief executive Lorna MacGregor said she was particularly concerned about the link between domestic violence and suicide, with Lifeline’s crisis hotline receiving thousands of calls from people struggling to see a way out of an abusive relationship.

Ms MacGregor said the rise in domestic violence incidents during COVID-19 demonstrated the risk it posed to people when they were more isolated.

Domestic violence can still be seen by the community as a personal or family issue, and people are unsure whether or how they can intervene.

“The workshops inform people about how to recognise the early signs of domestic violence, how to open up a conversation with someone who might be in an abusive relationship, how to support the person and where to go for help.”

The workshop will be held at the Milligan Community Learning and Resource Centre on September 15 and 16.

Register at www.dvalert.org.au.