Breaking the silence on family violence

Rotary SAFE Families is building a culture of peace worldwide, empowering communities with practical tools and education to recognise, prevent and respond to family violence and abuse in all its forms.

Launched in 2018, Rotary SAFE Families – Building a Culture of Peace is a powerful international peace program working to prevent family violence and abuse in all its forms – against women, men, children, young people and the elderly.

Since its launch, founder and co-chair Dorothy Gilmour and her team have been campaigning across the country to inspire Australians to take note and become part of the solution to family violence and abuse.

It has been a long, bumpy road to get Australians to discuss the ‘taboo’ topic of family violence,” said Dorothy. “However, over the past two years of media, government and community cooperation, I’ve noticed that it is becoming less taboo.”

With more than 200 guest speaker presentations and many workshops, Dorothy now has an executive team working with her, committed to supporting the model of primary prevention of family abuse and violence.

Rotary SAFE Families has a savvy, simple model: 3R’s, which can be applied to anyone and to any form of abuse and violence against men, women, children, young people and the elderly.

• Recognise signs of abuse; become informed
• Raise your concerns ‘safely’ with the victim, never the perpetrator
• Refer the victim to 000 or one of the myriad support organisations or make the call yourself

Rotary SAFE Families has reached out to many diverse communities through its community leaders, and Dorothy provides workshops in domestic violence, mental health literacy, child abuse, elder abuse, male abuse and the increasing crime rate of our young people.

These workshops are supported by films created by RSF and printed resources in prevention of family abuse in nine languages.

From a one-person initiative, Rotary SAFE Families, with the support of the Rotary clubs of Hawthorn, Melbourne and Caroline Springs, has now reached out to 48 countries via worldwide Mega Meetings. Across the globe, Rotary is asking for RSF support, presentations and workshops online.

It has the patronage of three marvellous Rotarians:

• Gordon McInally, RI President 2023-24
• Pat Merryweather-Arges, RI Vice President 2023-24
• Grace Van Zyl, Chair Rotary Action Group for Peace

To address the international demand, Rotary SAFE Families is creating educational webinars to inform Rotarians worldwide how they can prevent abuse and violence to children, women, men and the elderly using a holistic approach to foster respectful relationships.

The global campaign has grown to include valuable tools and resources – from short films to a multi-language prevention guide – all aimed at raising awareness and empowering communities to take action.

I am both humbled and privileged to have met people from around the world through my work in the prevention of family violence,” said Dorothy.

“The common denominator from every country and diverse community is that family violence is a global pandemic, and yet misunderstood and often ignored. How can this be happening and what legacy are we leaving our children and grandchildren?

“Let’s break the silence, challenge harmful beliefs and build a culture where abuse is never ignored or accepted.”

• Become an ambassador club for the prevention of family violence by emailing Rotary SAFE Families via info@rotarysafefamilies.org.au
• For more information, visit www.rotarysafefamilies.org.au
• Remember: Abuse prevention begins with YOU and ME!