Jenny’s Place domestic violence and homelessness service will launch its first annual EmPowered Walk on Newcastle’s Foreshore.
The Walk will be held on Sunday 27 November and aims to educate participants about domestic violence and raise awareness of how to access help for the women they know. It seeks to empower the community to help understand and break the cycle of domestic violence.
Executive Manager, Marcia Chapman said that Jenny’s Place has initiated the walk to involve the community in the fight against domestic violence.
“Leaving domestic and family violence takes tremendous courage,” Marcia said.
“By sharing their stories of survival, our brave clients hope to help other women who are living in violent or controlling relationships.”
Meg Dolan is passionate about using her voice to raise awareness about domestic and family violence. Jenny’s Place supported her to escape from her abusive partner.
“Coercive control starts slowly and before I knew it, I was deep in a new cycle of abuse,” Meg said.
“I didn’t see how quickly he had put himself in a position to control me – it was hidden behind things that most people recognise as acts of love.
“Jenny’s Place changed everything for me. They were always there when I had the courage to approach them. With no judgement, their support gave me the confidence that there was someone there to catch my fall.”
Marcia said domestic and family violence is widespread in our communities.
“We want to recruit as many people as possible to join us in the effort to break the cycles of violence,” Marcia said.
“It will take a whole of community effort to create a future where women and children can live free from violence and coercive control.”
Jenny’s Place helps more than 1,000 local women each year to escape from domestic and family violence. You can support their efforts at the EmPowered Walk and celebrate stories of survival and courage at the picnic event on the Foreshore.
The check-in will commence at 8am with the walk starting at 9am from The Tree of Knowledge, Hannell St, Wickham. Participants will walk 3.5km to arrive at the Newcastle Foreshore Carriage Sheds.
IMAGE | Jenny’s Place will launch its first annual EmPowered Walk later this month.
