1. Awareness
The main news here is that the Rotary Safe Families website is up and running. We encourage members to become Champions of this programme in and with your Clubs and community groups. The materials are available for your use and there are ideal introductory videos to show in a Club meeting. If you adopt the programme or adapt the materials for your location, please let us know, so we can track versions and make connections to others who could benefit from your adaptation.
We hope to run a structured dialogue on the need to heal perpetrators as well as victims later this year or early next year. If you can contribute to the planning and running of this virtual event in your timezone, please let us know at ragfamsafe@gmail.com .
2. Education
We have acquired a valuable resource in the form of a Cadre in this area. Madhumita "Madu" Bishnu of Kolkata has agreed to be our Technical Officer, and is looking for suitable programmes through her contacts in the education world. If you would like to connect with Madu please email us and we will put you in touch.
3. Trauma Recovery
Last year we were able to secure three different grants to advance our first signature project in this area.
The first grant, supported by several Clubs and a District, allowed us to set up a website which reaches out to people suffering incipient PTSD and also recruits Therapist Members of the RAG to help them at free or discounted rates. This is the first humanitarian network of its kind in Australia, and initially focussed on Trauma acquired during the 2019-20 bushfires.
The second grant, multi Club and District with the help of public donations from a Rotary appeal, allowed us to begin field operations in affected communities, delivering EMDR group and early intervention therapy and training, with the aim of stabilising First Responders, and beginning to create a local response capability for future events. The first trainings have been received enthusiastically in the health networks.
The third grant comes from California-based Direct Relief, building on links established when Rotary facilitated the distribution of a large quantity of respiratory masks they donated in late 2019. This grant is Bushfire-focussed too, and will assist us in providing group therapy to first responders and community leaders in the affected communities.
Given the lockdowns we have experienced, part of each programme is being delivered over the internet.
In 2021-22 we aim to broaden our scope to deal with the consequences of other disasters and to build resilience in the communities at risk of experiencing them, in rural, regional and remote areas. This should contribute to reducing domestic violence caused by triggers of trauma.
As always, if you would like to contribute to our efforts in any of these areas, please reach out to us at ragfamsafe@gmail.com
Be Safe, spread Safety!
Your RAGFamSafe Team