Lifestyle

Myer And Salvation Army Launch Registry To Help Victims Of Domestic Violence

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This article contains graphic imagery of  domestic violence. If this topic could cause you distress of any kind, please be wary of continuing. If you would like to speak to someone about domestic violence, you can speak to the amazing people at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Myer, in conjunction with The Salvation Army, has launched a new campaign to help victims of domestic violence with customers invited to buy items from the department store and donate them to needy women and families.

Victims fleeing domestic abuse escape with their lives but, in many circumstances, not much else: everyday essentials like clothes, bedding, towels and cooking utensils are left behind.

Domestic violence is a widespread though often hidden problem across Australia. It occurs in all parts of society, regardless of geographic location, socio-economic status, age, cultural and ethnic background, or religious belief, and its often devastating effects — psychological, social and economic, short-term and long-term — rebound on families, children, and the community as a whole.

Australian police and court crime data indicate that women constitute a significant proportion of reported victims of intimate partner violence, while men make up a significant proportion of reported abusers. This data tends to focus on physical and sexual violence. Australian population survey data similarly show that women were more likely than men to be victims of physical, sexual and other forms of violence by a partner with domestic and sexual violence overwhelmingly committed by men against women. 89 women were killed by their current or former partner between 2008-10. This equates to nearly one woman every week.

The Give Registry, launched today by Myer ambassador Lauren Phillips, will mirror a traditional gift registry and encourage shoppers to buy pre-selected “essential items” that are needed by women and children to rebuild their lives.

Each donation will be matched by Myer and distributed to The Salvation Army’s crisis accommodation and women’s refuges. For every item that’s bought via ‘The Give Registry’, Myer will match its monetary value and donate that amount to the Salvos’ crisis accommodation and women’s refuges.

Much the same as Myer’s existing gift registry, whether it’s a toaster, clothing, towels or a set of sheets, you can make a difference by purchasing much-needed items. Choose from a number of specially ticketed items on the Give Registry at any Myer store, and help someone make a fresh start.

Myer chief executive and managing director, Richard Umbers, said the initiative provides practical support to victims of family violence.

“Myer is standing up to family violence and we know that our customers and team members feel very passionately about this worthy cause,” he said. “The Give Registry means that we can work together with our customers to help make a difference in these women’s lives. We’re really proud to launch the Give Registry which provides practical support through the provision of much needed essential items.”

The Salvation Army’s secretary for women’s ministries, Colonel Karyn Rigley, said victims of abuse often emerge from violent domestic environments with nothing.

“One in three women are affected by family violence in Australia. Family violence is also the leading cause of homelessness for women and children and often when a woman leaves a violent situation she leaves with nothing but the clothes on her back,” she said.

“Family violence is also the leading cause of homelessness for women and children and often when a woman leaves a violent situation she leaves with nothing but the clothes on her back,” she said. “Through the Give Registry we’ll be able to provide further practical care to women in crisis.”

“Through the Give Registry we’ll be able to provide further practical care to women in crisis.”

Learn more about the Give Registry on the Myer website.

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