The July 4 conference United Action Against Domestic Violence hopes to engage broad involvement across a range of well-known community groups including Apex, Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Zonta, and bring a special focus to the damage done to children as a result of domestic violence.
The conference will be held at the Amy Wheaton Theatre, UniSA's Magill Campus, St Bernards Road Magill from 8.45 am on July 4 2008.
Soroptimist spokesperson, Annette Korzeba, says a goal for the day is to reach out into community networks with the message that domestic violence is everyone's business.
"Silence around the issue of domestic violence only makes it easier for the problem to continue and for those closest to the situation - the children - to continue to suffer silently," Korzeba says.
"We hear about kids' problems every day - drug taking, under age drinking, suicide - and some, if not many of those problems can be directly related to the experience of living in a family where children witness or are victims of domestic violence."
UniSA researcher Dr Sarah Wendt says she is encouraged by Soroptimist's determination to get active about issues surrounding domestic violence and the partnership being formed with the UniSA and the community through the conference.
"Domestic violence is widespread and devastating and it is so important that groups that represent the whole community - men, women, and families - are prepared to talk about it, take actions and lobby for improvements in services and supports," Dr Wendt says.
"Research has shown that children living in environments where there is constant critcism, anger or physical abuse suffer, psychologically and emotionally," Dr Wendt says.
"There is also evidence that children often stay silent about their experiences and without help, they can come to believe that they are responsible for what's happening in their family which has impacts such as depression, anger, and inclinations to self-harm.
"When you add in the stats - for example the UNICEF 2006 report across 20 countries that estimated between 1.3 and 2.7 million children worldwide were exposed to domestic violence and in that same report, data that shows as many as 750,000 Australian children are witnessing or experiencing domestic violence - you get a sense of the impact.
"We also know that there is no typical domestic violence scenario - it occurs in wealthy and poor families, in educated and uneducated families, in the suburbs and the bush. One thing that is common to all situations is that children unfairly bear the brunt of the violence - not just while it is happening but often the emotional impact can be carried with them right through to adulthood."
Keynote speakers at the conference include Mickelina Barlow, Principal Aboriginal Consultant with Families SA who has specialist experience with domestic violence shelters and clinical psychologist and child and adolescent health expert, Dr Peter Mertin from the Legal Services Commission, who will discuss the psychological impact of domestic violence on women and children. UniSA's Dr Sarah Wendt will establish a statistical picture around domestic violence and Dr Elspeth McInnes AM will discuss how domestic violence effects maternal parenting.
Korzeba says the conference offers parents, grandparents, extended family members, teachers and school counsellors and other adults working closely with children, a range of practical ideas on how to support children who are impacted by domestic violence.
"We are hoping to attract individuals but also people involved in service clubs from across the State because they have working networks established and can help to inform and disseminate information about domestic violence and develop supports for women and children which can make a difference," Korzeba says.
"At the end of the conference I am hoping we'll emerge with a list of actions that we can extend out into the community through these groups and some recommendations to government about how we can better protect women and children against domestic violence.
More information about the conference is available online or by telephone on (08) 8264 5405 or (08) 8251 1149.
