Aimed at indigenous women, the Strong Aboriginal Women program is made up of three workshop components – breaking the silence on family violence, supporting communities to recover from sexual assault, and understanding your rights with the law.

This week trainers from EVAC came to Moree to present the first week-long workshop about family violence.

READ MORE: Moree remains second worst area for domestic violence

“We talked about the myths and misconceptions around family violence, responses by services and the community to family and domestic violence and the impact of violence on children and what that looks like,” local course coordinator Hunter New England Health Aboriginal family wellbeing/violence prevention and care’s Denise Haines said.

“We also discussed with Victims Services what counselling options are available for victims.

“It’s been really good.”

Throughout the week, representatives from NSW Victims Services NSW, police and ambulance have attended, as well as local service providers.

The women have also had the opportunity to paint a banner which will be taken to a big gathering of each of the 30 communities who’ve participated in the Strong Aboriginal Women workshops, to be held at Lake Burrendong at the end of the year.

EVAC trainer/educator Pam Greer said the workshops are about informing and supporting people.

“This is creating an atmosphere we hope will have women connecting,” she said.

“Lots of victims of violence don’t realise they are and they don’t realise who’s there to help.

“This week we’ve been practising how to work better. People who came are not necessarily victims of domestic violence but there are victims in their street, in their community.

“So we focus on what they can do when someone does open up to them. It’s about not having judgement, not blaming and allowing women to tell their story and be believed. We’re developing a word or two to say to someone when they tells their story.”

With Moree ranked the second worst Local Government Area for domestic violence in the state, Ms Haines said it’s important to keep the conversation going about family violence. 

“We like to think our report rate is good and that’s why [the ranking] is so high as well,” she said.

“We talk about it more than we used to. This is a way of getting a solution.”

Up to 20 women of all ages from Moree participated in the workshop, held at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre from Monday, March 19 to Friday, March 23.

One of these was Geraldine Boney-Brown who said the course opened her eyes.

“I’ve learnt a lot,” she said.

“I’m stronger and more aware. My life was in limbo and this brought it out; I’m much more aware of it and have more knowledge about my life now.”

Although Ms Boney-Brown has not been a victim of domestic violence herself, she knows many who have suffered.

Thanks to the information she learnt during the course, she feels like she now has the knowledge to be able to help her friends or anyone who opens up to her about family violence.

“From what I’ve got out of today, I know how to help someone,” she said.

“Most of my friends around me, I’ll know how to talk to them and how to deal with it.

“I have had people come to me before but if someone comes to me now I’ll tell them to speak up. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be silent.”

Ms Boney-Brown said the biggest thing she’s learnt is knowledge and awareness and to break the silence.

“It affects everyone,” she said. “They all forget it affects the kids. You only think of yourself but forget the kids are going through it as well.”

The next workshop will focus on recovering from sexual assault, particularly child sexual assault. It will be held from May 1 to 3.

The third and final workshop on understanding legal rights will be held from June 5 to 7.

Once the workshops are finished, the idea is that the Moree women continue to meet up by forming a women’s group to support each other.

If you are Aboriginal and a victim of crime who would like information on victims rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance, call the Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline 1800 019 123.