Byford resident Sarah Ford is using her personal trauma and expertise as a counsellor to connect with women who are experiencing, or have experienced, family and domestic violence (FDV).
“I just identified with the fact that women had been through trauma and I had been through trauma and perhaps I might have some empathy there to work with ladies who’ve been through FDV,” she said.
When she was struggling with her mental health, Ms Ford said exercise saved her life.
“I do believe in prescribed treatments but I think there’s a huge gap and exercise fits into that nicely,” she said.
“I’d like to see the use of exercise used by more organisations in their repertoire of things that they offer.”
Ms Ford said the new FDV program would launch in January next year through her charity Sarah Ford Foundation (SFF).
“I’ve identified that we are very much like hairdressers or nail technicians or anyone that women will go and speak to other than their doctor,” she said.
“I think there’s a lot of loneliness in this area.”
After learning more about FDV, Ms Ford said she didn’t realise how significant of an issue it was in Serpentine Jarrahdale.
“I really didn’t know what I was going to uncover,” she said.
“Because Serpentine Jarrahdale is expanding and there’s a lot of families coming in, I think that plays a factor in why the number (of cases) are going up.”
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) said many factors contributed to, and influenced, the likelihood of a person experiencing FDV.
Personal history such as childhood abuse, education level and adherence to traditional general roles were some factors listed by the AIHW.
One in six women and one in 18 men had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner since the age of 15, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) personal safety survey.
One of the existing programs under SFF is a weekly women’s walk.
“It’s for women who would like to get out of the house and come together to have a coffee and go for a gentle walk,” Ms Ford said.
“It’s not just for older ladies.
“I’ve had younger ladies come who have been through health issues which has isolated them and some have just naturally become isolated over the years.
“Some of them are quite nervous about coming to start with but then, for example, I’ve got two ladies who are now pretty much inseparable and do everything together outside of the group.”
The first session of the FDV program will be on Friday, January 16.
“When they come in, they’ll have their initial induction and then we’ll do a circuit style class and afterwards, there’ll be free refreshments, free tea or coffee and snacks.
“So, there’ll be time for exercise and there’ll be time for community as well.”
