Earlier this week, the Illawarra Mercury facilitated an extraordinary (COVID-safe) meeting with 16 business leaders and the Illawarra Women's Health Centre CEO Sally Stevenson.
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The men in the room had come for one reason only. To learn more about the Illawarra's domestic violence crisis and how they could help. You can read more from our reporter Zoe Cartwright.
Sixteen businessmen in a room doesn't sound all that extraordinary, you might say, but these men came with open hearts and minds. There was no agenda except listening.
The room was silent as psychiatrist Dr Karen Williams outlined her experiences helping patients through trauma caused by domestic violence.
They were horrified as Ms Stevenson rolled off the stats. One in four women will have been affected by a domestic violence situation. Domestic violence is the leading cause of health issues for women aged between 15 and 44. Despite there being medical centres of excellence for fractures and cancer, there is no such centre for women in trauma anywhere in Australia, nor the world.
The meeting was a beginning for these men in their journey to understanding, raising awareness and offering support, but for Ms Stevenson, she is part way through what has been a magnificent fight for a women's trauma centre.
She has delivered a business plan to the NSW and Federal Governments at their request, but the project is languishing, perhaps due to COVID and other government priorities or because they don't care enough.
What Ms Stevenson needs now is a final push. For $500,000 a year the project can obtain premises and employ someone with the marketing and political acumen to push this through the end.
A small amount for such an important cause that affects all of us directly or indirectly. We thank the 16 men for paying attention, and we ask you, our readers, to join the cause.
Donate via the Illawarra Women's Health Centre website to show your support.
- Gayle Tomlinson