SA Vietnamese organisation funded to reduce violence against women and their children

A South Australian community organisation will receive more than $242,000 over the next three years as part of the Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

The National Plan brings together the efforts of governments across the nation to make a real and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women. The Australian Government has committed more than $86 million to support the implementation of the plan.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis today announced that the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc would deliver an innovative project to raise awareness and reduce violence against women and children in the Vietnamese community, funded under the Community Action Grants.

“We know that reducing violence is something that the Government cannot do alone, which is why it is so important that we work with community organisations on the ground to promote respectful relationships and ensure that women can live lives free of violence,” Ms Ellis said.

“All forms of violence against women are unacceptable – in any community and in any culture – and it is everyone’s responsibility to reject and prevent violence,” Ms Ellis said.

The Australian Government has committed $3.75 million for Community Action Grants, which will be distributed amongst 17 community and sporting organisations across the country.

These grants will support activities that prevent, respond to, and speak out against violence, change community attitudes and behaviours, and encourage community responsibility to support the reduction of violence against women.

A range of funded projects will support different communities, with the Vietnamese community in Australia specifically targeting culturally and linguistically diverse communities – one of the grant’s priority groups.

The Government will provide $242,446 over three years to the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc to deliver a culturally and linguistically diverse project for Vietnamese women in Port Adelaide, Enfield, Salisbury and Playford.

The Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc will work collaboratively with schools and the community to encourage early intervention, prevention and education of the Vietnamese community around domestic and family violence.

“With this funding, the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc will also develop bilingual resources such as an education CD on positive relationships, and a training package on family relationships,” Ms Ellis said.

Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc Acting Welfare Director, Ms. My Phuong Sramek welcomed the grant, saying “Violence against women in the community is a significant issue that impacts on families and the community as a whole.

“This grant will mean so much for our commmunity to provide education to community members on issues, prevent violence against women, raise awareness on women’s rights to be treated with respect and encourage women to speak out and seek help.

“Once again, we thank the Australian Government in giving us the opportunity to address these significant issues in the community.”

Ms Ellis commended the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter Inc on its commitment to addressing this serious issue in the Port Adelaide community, and said this grant will support them to lead and support social change.

“Changing community attitudes is a long-term challenge. By working together and challenging the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to occur, all levels of government are saying a very loud “no” to violence,” Ms Ellis said.

A copy of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 is available from www.fahcsia.gov.au