At the 2019 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards held recently in Sydney, Clubs of the Newcastle and Hunter Region were recognised for their collective support of Got Your Back Sista by being awarded the winners of the Clubs In Collaboration category.
This award recognises the ClubsNSW Newcastle and Hunter Region’s partnership with Got Your Back Sista, which has aided the charity’s efforts over the last three years in supporting local domestic violence victims and raising awareness of this issue.
Focused on supporting local women and their children towards a positive life since overcoming the hardship brought by domestic violence, Got Your Back Sista offers many services and programs to aid victims of domestic violence in reclaiming their lives, such as self-defence classes, relief housing and motivational workshops.
Got Your Back Sista CEO, Melissa Histon, said local clubs were essential in assisting her to launch the charity.
“Got Your Back Sista would not be where it is today without the support of the local Clubs,” she said.
“It is fantastic they are receiving some recognition for their support of a local grassroots organisation that is making a difference in everyday lives within our community.”
In 2016, Got Your Back Sista undertook its first large community activation to raise awareness of domestic violence.
This activation was the One Thousand People One Voice event which involved bringing together 1,000 people from all parts of the community to unite with one voice and Say NO To Domestic Violence.
The Newcastle and Hunter Region of ClubsNSW supported this event as a foundation sponsor and were joined by a variety of local Clubs including Belmont 16s, East Maitland Bowling Club, Toronto Workers Club and Wests Newcastle.
Former Clubs NSW State Councillor and Belmont 16s CEO, Scott Williams said targeting the issue of domestic violence is so important and that we need to work together to eliminate it.
“Domestic violence is an insidious issue that touches all corners of our community without discrimination and must be eliminated,” he said.
“With our collective reach in the community, local Clubs saw the need to work together to take a public stance on this issue by saying NO to domestic violence.”
Since the success of the inaugural One Thousand People One Voice event, Got Your Back Sista expanded their annual anti-domestic violence activations to take place at Newcastle Knights home games in 2018 and 2019.
The Newcastle Knights activation events have seen more than 400 community and organisation representatives march onto the field during half time, and over 15,000 crowd members displaying branded banners with anti-domestic violence messaging – “Say NO to domestic violence” and “Say YES to ending the silence”.
Got Your Back Sista breaks down barriers which prevent domestic violence victims from seeking support while also working to create greater conversation around this issue to prevent it.
Since its inception, Got Your Back Sista has:
- Provided furniture and household items to 208 women to help them set up a new home free from violence.
- Assisted the creation of three women’s shelters.
- Had 178 women through their self-defence courses.
- Assisted 59 women through their Rebuild and Reconnect program.
- Implemented their 10-week self-defence course in five local high schools.
- Had an average of eight women attend their support group each week.
- Partnered with TAFE NSW to help women go on to commence study and gain employment.
More information about Got Your Back Sista can be found on their website.
IMAGE | Belmont 16s CEO, Scott Williams and Got Your Back Sista CEO, Melissa Histon at ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards (left-right).
