Newcastle domestic, family and sexual violence and homelessness support service, Jenny’s Place hosted their annual Standing Strong lunch earlier this month, attracting over 180 representatives from the Newcastle business community.

Collectively attendees raised $40,000 for the service, a contribution which will support Jenny’s Place service delivery in the region.

Jenny’s Place CEO, Dawn Walker said that despite decades of specialist support and intervention, Jenny’s Place and other sector-based services continue to be tested by the unrelenting incidence of domestic, family and sexual violence in our community.

“Every day I come to work and witness the extraordinary dedication and compassion of our caseworkers who stand alongside women and children who have endured unthinkable trauma,” Dawn said.

“Their tireless work involves listening, problem solving, advocating and transforming futures for some of the most vulnerable women and children in our community. There is no question that our caseworkers save lives.

“The Standing Strong lunch was an opportunity to elevate this critical work beyond the sanctuary of Jenny’s Place so that victim survivors feel the strength, support and commitment of their broader community, and I was so deeply heartened and grateful for the overwhelming support extended to us.”

Lunch attendees heard presentations from domestic, family and sexual violence victim survivor, Meg Dolan and from specialist caseworker, Rosemary Pillay who has over 30 years’ experience working in DFSV crisis care for Jenny’s Place.

“The perspectives shared by Meg and Rosemary highlighted the ever-present danger that domestic, family and sexual violence poses for the people of Newcastle today, and for generations to follow. If we are to achieve meaningful safeguards for our children and young people, we need men and women from all parts of our society to stand together in calling out social behaviours and championing whole system change,” Dawn said.

Jenny’s Place was founded in Newcastle in 1977 to support women and children impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence and homelessness. Today, Jenny’s Place delivers this support through crisis and transitional accommodation, homelessness outreach casework, the Newcastle Domestic Violence Resources and specialist casework programs for children and young people.

 IMAGE | Speaker, Meg Dolan with Jenny’s Place CEO, Dawn Walker.