Natasha Stott Despoja visits WRISC

Juelz Sanders

Ten women (a combination of WRISC board members, staff and volunteers) sat around the board room table, a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air. Today (Saturday 19th October) was the day we were to meet with Natasha Stott Despoja, Chair of the Foundation to Prevent Violence against women and their children.

 

Efficiently and professionally prompt, five minutes early, in walks Natasha. First impressions reveal a woman who is capable, strong, smart, and well informed - yet casual, genuine, friendly and inviting of conversation and opinion.

 

Some small talk, banter and nerves out of the way and it's down to business. Natasha provides an update on the work of the Foundation, confirming its clear goal of primary prevention. Busy visiting Government representatives in each State over the last few months, Natasha shares her optimism of "buy-in" and support of Government for the Foundation and its work.

Natasha Stott Despoja with some of the WRISC board & staff in attendance

Natasha is realistic, sharing the view of WRISC, that any awareness raising and "shining the light" on family violence is going to be a good thing, but will also result in an increase in the demand on tertiary or response services. Jacinta Wainwright, Executive Officer at WRISC, shared that there is a significant and ever increasing demand for family violence services that outstrips current funding capacity. It is critical that services are adequately resourced to meet this demand. Natasha agreed and commented that this is also the view of the Foundation. The Foundation will be raising this concern with Government.

 

Jacinta also raised the need for gender equity to underpin everything. The critical importance of maintaining a gendered understanding and analysis of violence against women, across all interventions. With enthusiasm and understanding Natasha agreed with this vital point.

 

The Foundation will be looking to work collaboratively with organisations that are already undertaking great work on the prevention of violence against women and children. This may include research or other projects. Organisations may include VicHealth, White Ribbon Australia, the National Centre of Excellence to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, etc.

 

Natasha showed interest in WRISC's response-based approach/practice with clients - showing women their strength, resilience and resistance to the violence. This resistance model (rather than using a deficit model) becomes very empowering for a woman. WRISC's involvement in the Act@Work project and facilitation of Women's Groups were also of interest to Natasha.

 

Natasha's visit to WRISC has certainly inspired us and spurred us on. In such a challenging environment, we will accept any glimpse of optimism and hope that we can see progress towards preventing violence against women and children.

 

To find out more about The Foundation, click here.

                       
Natasha with WRISC Executive Officer Jacinta Wainwright              The group in conversation