TESTIMONIALS
The following testimonials are just some of the endorsements for Rotary SAFE Families Stopping Abuse in Families Everywhere - Building a Culture of Peace
Pat Merryweather-Arges, Patron
- Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Rotary Action Group Board Chair 2024-2025
- Mental Health Initiative Rotary Action Group Board - 2024-2026
- International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals Board
- Past Rotary International Board Vice President 2023-2024 and Director 2022-2024
- Rotary Club of Naperville, USA
'I like the 3Rs and find that they are easy to remember and incorporate into countries, especially those that value women, children, and elderly....and to introduce in communities and countries that are working on gender and elderly issues, and those countries that are aspiring to work on the issues....
I truly believe that we need to support SAFE Families in our countries, communities, and our homes. This is an important issue with still too many casualties and suffering......as you noted, we still have a ways to go and I am committed to joining you in this important initiative. The 3Rs sums it up so well!
Unfortunately, the US still has high numbers of women and children that are not safe and seek shelter. It became extremely apparent during the COVID pandemic when people were confined to homes......and domestic violence is still a major issue in the U.S. While women can talk about it, they still need support to recover from their situation. I also worry about women and children where they do not have a voice and are not able to speak up for fear of punishment. Yes, I am all in on Rotary SAFE Families - Building a Culture of Peace!'
DGN Grace Van Zyl, Patron
- District Governor Nominee
- Special Aide to DG George Senosha
- Assistant Governor
- District Community Service Chair
- CEO Foundation of Southern Africa Rotary Clubs
- Rotary Action Group For Peace Chair
- Rotary International District 9400
'In South Africa Gender Based Violence (GBV0, abandoned children and child-headed households are a huge problem. In fact, GBV is seen as the leading pandemic in our country. By being a patron of Rotary Safe Families I hope to bring best practices to the organisation as well as to my country.'
Himilo Connect Community
Endorsement of Workshop held in August 2024 for the Himilo Connect Community. Written by Ahmed Tohow, Global Peace Ambassador, and Member Rotary Melbourne
Ahmed Tohow in FB: I would like to acknowledge the impactful workshop on family violence prevention facilitated by Dorothy from the Rotary SAFE Families. The workshop shed light on such a crucial and often overlooked issue, offering insights and strategies to promote healthier relationships and prevent violence within families.
Dorothy's dedication to creating safer and more inclusive communities is truly commendable, and the knowledge shared during the workshop will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of many. Let us all continue to work towards creating a world free from violence and full of compassion and understanding. I would like to say Thank you on behalf of the Somali community."
Rotary Caroline Springs by President Ron Moss
Rotary Meeting Recap: Dorothy Gilmour President Rotary Hawthorn on Coercive Control for Rotary SAFE Families
We had an enlightening and enjoyable evening at our recent Rotary meeting at WERN, featuring Dorothy Gilmour's impactful talk on SAFE Families.
Here are the key takeaways:
Dorothy's presentation centered on the prevention of family and child abuse. - She emphasized that abuse is irrespective of gender; it can affect anyone and can happen both ways.-
*Core Message:* - Dorothy highlighted the importance of understanding that abuse can occur in any relationship, regardless of gender. It’s crucial to recognize that both men and women can be victims and perpetrators. - *3Rs of SAFE Families:
1. Recognise the signs of abuse: - Learn to identify the subtle and obvious indicators of abuse. - Understand the behavioral and emotional cues that may suggest someone is experiencing abuse.
2. Raise your concerns: - Speak up if you suspect abuse. - Know how to approach the subject sensitively and appropriately with those who may be at risk.
3. Refer support: - Direct individuals to appropriate resources and support services. - Ensure that those affected have access to the help they need. -
*Highlights:* - Dorothy provided powerful and practical guidance on identifying and addressing abuse. - Her insights were both eye-opening and actionable, equipping attendees with the knowledge to make a real difference. - The discussion was highly informative and engaging, sparking meaningful conversations among attendees. - Everyone left with a greater understanding of how to contribute to a safer environment for families and children. For more detailed information about SAFE Families and their initiatives, please visit the SAFE Families website: [SAFE Families Website] (https://rotarysafefamilies.org.au).
Thank you to Dorothy Gilmour for her valuable contribution to our meeting, and to all who attended for making it a memorable and informative event."
Victoria Police
'Thank you so much for coming on board with us delivering a well informative awareness speech to the community. I am sure people took so much out of it. It was a great effort by everyone putting together and achieving a very positive outcome.
On behalf of my community , I would like to pass my regards to the Rotary SAFE Families for proving their support in the event.
Its great to hear that Rotary would like to work with us in future endeavours. Dorothy, I must say that you are doing an outstanding work for the diverse communities, and you must be very proud.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos.'
PSO Sergeant Simmi Kaur
Comment from Facebook after viewing Rotary SAFE Families film: Child Abuse
A courageous and honest spotlight by
Rotary SAFE Families for Rotarians who are involved with programs for young people and minors. Would you have the courage to act? … the things we walk past are the things that we accept.
'These are great and productive strides you are all making for SAFE Families.
I am proud of the team behind this program for it goes a long way in helping families establish strong relationships of love and understanding.
A family is the most important unit of a community and so we are touching the community's heart by making sure that its foundation is cemented with Peace.
Let us continue with the courage and zeal and navigate the challenges presented by community work and God will always provide a way.'
Regards.
Oscar Lumire
Rotary Club of Kericho, Kenya
Comment from Facebook 8.2.22
"Well done Rotary SAFE Families!
Good on you for tackling the tough issue of child abuse and actually acknowledging the realities. This is hard, but really important and necessary if Rotary wants to be involved in prevention of child abuse."
'Rotary Melbourne is to be commended for taking the initiative to raise awareness of elder abuse through its SAFE Families program. The video and webpage provide helpful information for all in our community. More importantly it encourages all of us to call out ageism and elder abuse and take action to prevent it. By doing so we can ensure that all of us can age with dignity and live safely. Seniors Rights Victoria commends the Rotary SAFE Families program to you and your networks.' Jenny Blakey (former Manager)
See Webpage: https://seniorsrights.org.au/
'The Salvation Army Family Violence Stream acknowledges the disproportionate harm of gender-based family violence predominantly perpetrated by men against women and children and simultaneously recognises the significant impacts of family violence across a broader range of relationship contexts.
Family violence is behaviour that threatens, controls, or dominates a current or former partner, family member, or person in a family-like or kinship relationship causing them to fear for their own or another person’s safety or wellbeing. Family violence also includes exposing a child, indirectly or directly to these behaviours or their effects.
It is driven by a range of complex social factors and is primarily underpinned by an abuse of power related to gender inequality and intersectional oppressions. The impact of family violence on infants, children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right, whether they are directly targeted with abuse, witness abuse or violence towards their parent/carer, or are exposed to the effects of family violence in their environment is significant.
Therefore, we commend Rotary on the ‘Rotary SAFE Families’ program which was established to prevent and address family violence by delivering education, resources and tools to support every Rotarian in every part of Australia to contribute to ending family violence.'
Lorrinda Hamilton,
The Salvation Army National General Manager Family Violence Stream
'I would like to congratulate Rotary for its SAFE Families initiative. As Commissioner for Senior Victorians it is great to see such an important focus on prevention of family violence which includes a dedicated focus on elder abuse as well. The film is very powerful in its messaging and the resources are extremely relevant and well developed. Let’s all take a stand against family violence, including elder abuse. This is indeed great leadership to develop such an important program as Rotary SAFE families.'
Regards
Gerard Mansour
Commissioner for Senior Victorians
Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention
See webpage: https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/
Dear Dorothy,
Greetings from Uganda and hope you are keeping safe and healthy. I am very impressed with the good work you have carried on especially on the production of the two films on family abuse. Can we translate them to local languages? And is it okay to call it a partnership with our organisation Anti Domestic violence Center and the Rotary club of Jinja? It is true these films come in handy when many victims are locked down with their Perpetrators. I hope and trust they will be of great help. Bugonzi Margaret Kyemba Kulaba
See Webpage: http://www.rotaryclubofjinja.org/
Rebecca Tolstoy: Rotary Perth - Path of Hope
'You should be so very very proud of the AMAZING work you have done in this space. I am so proud of you both fellow Rotarians and all. Yours in rotary Service, Rebecca.'
See Rotary Perth's Path of Hope: https://www.pathofhope.org.au/
Rotary SAFE Families has been created by two Rotarians who want to make a positive difference to the world by the prevention of family violence in particular violence against women and their children and elder abuse. Safe Families seeks to enable everyone to be equipped to “Identify”, “Be Informed”, “Support in Prevention” and “Make Referral”.
Safe Families offers a comprehensive resource kit targeting Rotarians and Rotary activities, workplaces and the broader community. In particular, there is fantastic information contained within sections 4.8 and 4.9 of the manual and from page 10 of the toolkit that seeks to address the question: “What can I do?” – building the capacity of the individual to be able to assist someone who may be experiencing elder abuse, or to join in elder abuse prevention efforts. This is complimented by a series of videos, including one which focuses exclusively on the issue of elder abuse, available .https://youtu.be/bn_naKjMb4c
For more information, please visit the Rotary Safe Families webpage.
Deakin University:
Email received from Dr Tony Chalkley, Senior Lecturer in Communication, Deakin University 2020: “I wanted to share a good news story about ****, one of the students in the Rotary Safe Families project last year.
She has just secured a job with Casey City Council and one of her key success stories was your program, her referees where really interested in what it was about, what skills students developed and were aware of the Safe Families initiative.
So, the HITI project with Rotary has already changed one student’s life and **** wanted me to pass her news on to you, with her thanks.”
Thank you Rotary SAFE Families. We use your film: "Elder Abuse" from your website.
BODY SAFETY AUSTRALIA
Preventing children in our Australian communities from experiencing and perpetrating sexual abuse
www.bodysafetyaustralia.com.au
Run Against Violence wrote: "...... It is a big bonus to us to have access to such great content that aligns with our mission. Thank you Rotary SAFE Families!"
Run Against Violence is a volunteer-based, member association. "We’re on a mission to create a healthy relationship culture within our local communities and to remove the stigma and social barriers that often stop people from talking about their experiences with family violence and asking for help when it is needed."
We thank Run Against Violence for their promoting our Rotary SAFE Families films on Facebook. This is greatly appreciated.
Our key contact is the Founder of Run Against Violence, Kirrily Dear. If you would like to be a volunteer or a participant, contact Kirrily via the website: www.runagainstviolence.com
