Battling domestic violence through support and education

The program, supported by Limestone Coast region, has a significant impact by offering a broad range of services with fewer restrictions than specialised providers in the area, helping all levels of need in the community.

“The success of the program is that it manages to cover every single aspect of support including victim management, offender management, domestic abuse prevention, and even dealing with life threatening situations,” Brevet Sergeant Mailley said.

“The USEDAP continues to prove this community model works and is able to provide immediate solutions to problems and provide anything required.” he added.

Since its inception in 2022, the program has operated independently from SA Police, as a registered charity, helping so many people in the region.

Believing “without preventing violence, nothing will change”, Brevet Sergeant Mailley and the USEDAP team have placed great importance on the role of education as a preventative measure in the community.

Several preventative initiatives have been introduced, including Love Bites – a primary intervention program, designed to teach young people about respectful relationships and critical thinking.

During September this year, specialist trainers from the National Association for Protection of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) came to Naracoorte and delivered training to 14 child educators from the Upper South East region.

“The training has equipped child educators in our region to deliver the Love Bites program in their respective schools,” Brevet Sergeant Mailley said.

“Love Bites teaches students what unacceptable behaviours are, their impacts and it identifies what respect is in a relationship.

“This is part of prevention initiatives facilitated by the Upper South East Domestic Abuse Program which aims to address domestic violence at a grass roots level.”

The training session was a community effort, funded by the USEDAP and Naracoorte Lucindale Council.

Brevet Sergeant Mailley thanked Principal, Keiron Hicks of Naracoorte High School for providing the facilities for the training to take place, as well as the Wyommi Wobblers.

“The Wyommi Wobblers are a local community group committed to the annual Run Against Violence challenge, raising vital funds for NAPCAN.” Brevet Sergeant Mailley said, highlighting the community’s deep commitment to ending domestic violence in the Upper South East.

Teachers and educators having received the NAPCAN training