LITHGOW CARES: Back from left are Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service’s (WDVCAS) Kim Downie, Lithgow Community Health Centre counsellor Meg Downes, senior case manager at Lithgow Community Projects Catherine Yates, the Women’s Consultation Group’s Melissa Smith and Community Service Student and volunteer Tracey Clarke; front Senior Constable Jacqui Kirkwood (Domestic Violence Liaison Officer), WDVACS’s Lisa MacDonald and Lithgow City Council’s Community Development Officer Viktoria Gulabovski. lm080712dv
THE culmination of many months of research and design has seen the Lithgow Partnerships Against Domestic Violence and Family Abuse (LPADVAFA) launch their new awareness campaign, Lithgow Cares.
The cornerstones of the campaign are bright decals for the windows of various service providers.
The committee held a community-wide call for entries for the artwork of the designs and children across various age groups entered with four designs being chosen to create unique pieces of artwork for windows.
The artworks explore four separate themes — ‘Lithgow Cares’ about happy families, a positive community, keeping kids safe, and healthy relationships.
The committee has also compiled a domestic violence resource card, available in two sizes, which outlines all the services in the area for victims of domestic violence, from medical assistance to emergency housing and counselling.
The resource card was developed to also assist services and organisations which aren’t domestic violence specific services to make more appropriate referrals if women and their children disclose violence is occurring.
The card is available in two sizes.
While the service providers will be the only initial recipients of the window decals, the committee is aiming to extend the campaign in the future to incorporate the wider community.
The campaign has been so well received that groups in Dubbo are considering adopting a similar approach.
The campaign targets one of the biggest problems relating to domestic violence head-on; awareness.
The LPADVAFA identified that community education was a major way to raise community awareness around domestic and family violence, and that encouraging and supporting positive community and relationship models is a great way to encourage involvement and bring out the best in our area.
Between 35 to 50 service providers will soon be proudly displaying the artwork.
LPADVAFA thanks all who entered the competition and reminds the community to be on the lookout for the bright decals in the coming weeks.