The Zonta Club of Melton Inc. has teamed up with Women’s Health West to deliver vital support packs for women fleeing from domestic violence.
The Zonta Club has been active in raising funds for the care packages made up of essential products and toiletries, with separate packs made especially for pregnant women and their babies.
Chairwoman of the service committee Margaret Hinks said the club had wanted to help Melton victims of domestic violence, and it approached Women’s Health West to team up for the new project.
Ms Hinks said Zonta promoted itself as an organisation committed to advancing the status of women through service and advocacy, and it took on a range of community projects and initiatives helping women and young girls.
Women’s Health West chief executive Robyn Gregory said the organisation had seen an enormous increase in police referrals for family violence over the years, increasing from 2986 in 2011-12 to a staggering 4025 referrals during 2012-13.
“Women and children are often forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs,” Dr Gregory said.
Women’s Health West provides women and their children with crisis support such as court support, crisis housing and case management as well as women’s and children’s counselling.
Women needing help or information about family violence can call Women’s Health West on 9689 9588 or the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service on 1800 015 188. In emergency situations, call police on triple 0.
For more information about the Zonta Club, visit bit.ly/1xpGrkp
