Violence workshop for health workers

The Peninsula Community Centre will host a domestic violence workshop for health professionals on Friday, November 7.

The workshop is aimed at counsellors, general practitioners, social workers, support workers and other health professionals in the field of domestic violence or intimate partner abuse.

The event will be conducted by author Ms Ricky Hunter.

Ms Hunter said domestic violence was a huge problem for all communities.

She said that domestic violence did not end when the victim left the abusive situation - the scars ran deep and the impact was long-lasting.

"Rarely, if ever, do we hear about how victims survive their traumatic experiences and cope with their day-to-day lives," Ms Hunter said.

Titled Project Plan to Empowerment, the workshop has been adapted from Ms Hunter's book Point Last Seen: A Road to Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence.

"Statistics reveal that 80 to 90 per cent of women in domestic violence situations stay in the relationship because the abuser has threatened to kill their pets," Ms Hunter said.

"A lot of people don't know that they can arrange through the RSPCA for their pets to be fostered through their Pets in Crisis Project."

Publicity officer Mr Doug Rose said the workshop was a great opportunity for health professionals in and around the Peninsula to help their patients and clients recover from abuse.

"Ricky urges women who have suffered domestic violence to read her story and make a firm decision to escape from being a victim by means of education, information and empowerment," Mr Rose said.

"Ricky's book tells her personal story of surviving abduction and sexual abuse at age five, her violent marriage and her struggle and eventual triumph over mental illness.

"Ricky's late son was also physically abused, suffered brain damage and developed schizophrenia during adolescence.

"In her long and arduous journey to recovery, Ricky had to come out of denial to take back her life one day at a time."

The domestic violence workshop for local health professionals will begin from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

The Peninsula Community Centre is located on the Cnr of Ocean Beach Rd and McMasters Rd, Woy Woy.

Health professionals can phone 0404 918 582 if they would like to attend the workshop.

Press release, 29 Sep 2008 Doug Rose, Peninsula Community Centre