Domestic violence is endemic. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the facts. Updated statistics show that one in four women experience violence in the home, these numbers continue to rise. Then consider the number of children living in violent homes, impacted by this issue. Research indicates that 80% of the homeless youth living on our streets flee their violent homes because being homeless feels safer for the children in our community, than remaining in the home.

Something has to change.

Six months into the role of CEO of this small, but legendary organisation, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with our team at Jenny’s Place, along with sector colleagues, and I’ve had time to pause and reflect on how everything has its right time. My vision for Jenny’s Place is to bring a fresh perspective and a contemporary approach to the challenges we all face in this sector. To champion service innovation, financial sustainability and a new way of approaching an old issue. I believe we can honour the inherent learning of the past, as we take Jenny’s Place forward.

For almost five decades, Jenny’s Place has existed on a shoestring, on the kindness and generosity of our benefactors, and in more recent times on the increased awareness and funding from local and federal policy makers. With demand for our trauma-informed domestic violence support services at an all-time high, the gap between the cost of service and our income stream continues to widen, and this has to change.

There is one glaring fact that could well be the most powerful tool of all to help us finally turn the tide on domestic violence in our region. We need men to get involved. It sounds simple but it is actually profound. If we can reach all the good and great men across our community and galvanize our male population to start engaging on this issue, we may see the social change our nation so desperately needs. So, please, come forward, get involved and work together with us to turn the tide on this terrible disease in our society.

We are launching a groundbreaking, male-only trek, asking for men from different areas and diverse social circles across our community to step forward and affirm their support for the women and children of their community. By taking part in the Larapinta, Champions for Change trek, you are raising awareness and opening up the dialogue on this issue, man to man.

Being the first takes courage. Remaining silent hurts more people than you understand.