BATHURST businesses are being called to support victims of domestic violence, by displaying info cards which have contact numbers of DV support agencies in their store.
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The Bathurst Family Violence Community Action Network (BFVCAN) has put together a flyer to aid local victims/surviviors of domestic and family violence in accessing help.
These flyers contain contact details of local Bathurst supports and national services that can assist people who are experiencing or are concerned about domestic and family violence.
The network will be distributing them to pharmacies and doctor's surgeries, as well as other community spaces where women may be able to access them freely, such as hair dressing salons and supermarket shelves where personal hygiene items are located.
"With the social distancing and lockdown requirements we are experiencing due to COVID-19, people are at home more and this has significantly reduced the options for them to report incidents and to seek outside assistance for domestic and family violence," BFVCAN member, Karen Boyde, said.
MAKING NEWS:
"We encourage all local businesses that serve women to take this initiative on board and display the brochures where women will be able to access them."
According to Domestic Violence NSW counselling and safety planning services experienced a significant increase in demand over the March to May 2020 period.
"People who are experiencing violence need to know that the services are still here to help, even during the current period of isolation and social lockdown," Ms Boyde said.
"Keep yourself safe, reach out if you can and remember if you are in immediate danger phone the police on 000.'
The Bathurst Family Violence Community Action Network (previously known as the Bathurst Family Violence Awareness Group) is a collaborative partnership with members from local community service organisations, Government agencies, and community members, whose mission is to act as a consultative group responsible for raising awareness of all forms of domestic and family violence in the Bathurst Community. For more information about the BFVCAN visit the Facebook page (Family Violence Community Action Network - Bathurst) or phone Central West Women's Health Centre on 6331 4133.
