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Students at Mackillop Senior College believe domestic violence is a wide societal problem and perpetrators need to be dealt with through rehabilitation.
“Teaching men the importance of a relationship that doesn’t end in domestic violence,” Year 12 student Isaac Trow said.
The domestic violence fund was set up by the 2016 Year 12 students who took legal studies as part of their education. Their legacy has been passed on to the 2017 class.
“We’re doing our best to uphold it to raise money and help domestic violence victims in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area,” student Josh Dowrick said.
The class are hoping to raise at least $10,000 this year. The students of 2016 gave over $10,000 to domestic and family violence support services.
At least 16 women have been helped by the efforts of the students since May.
The funds are given to two agencies the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy and The Port Macquarie-Hastings Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Service.
“Those two agencies have given their gratitude for what we’ve done and how we’ve helped,” Josh said.
Isaac said students were made aware of the prevalence of domestic violence through their studies.
“It’s definitely not something the community wants to talk about,” he said.
“One in five women are affected by domestic violence.
“For people not to know that is an injustice.”
Josh and Isaac want to become role models for future generations to encourage people to speak out against any kind of violent behavior toward women.
“It has to be a community wide initiative to raise awareness for the issue,” Isaac said.
The class has already raised $4000 through school-based fundraising initiatives.
“It’s an amazing effort considering that $4000 is single-handedly from the community at our school,” he said.
Students hope local businesses will support their initiative.
If you would like to help the school’s domestic violence fund please contact teacher Nicole Bailey on 02 6583 2632.