Central Coast Council will run a series of ‘Supporting Healthy Relationships’ workshops in November and December to help bring awareness to the issue of domestic and family violence (DFV).

Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the workshops have been designed to provide the community with the tools they need to create better family relationships.

“Domestic and family violence is a major health and welfare issue with current statistics showing that the Central Coast has some of the highest rates of DFV in NSW,” Ms Vaughan said.

“It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds and economic levels and can have lifelong impacts for victims, perpetrators and their families.”

Presented by Danielle Habib, Catholic Care's Violence Prevention Educator, the free workshops will help attendees understand DFV and healthy relationships, and learn safe actions and responses to DFV.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Central Coast residents, government and non-government agencies have taken up the call to end domestic and family violence in the region.

“We have a community responsibility to do more in condemning violent behaviour and are leading the way in instigating change in our region,” Mayor Matthews said.

“We want change here. We want to create a community where everyone feels valued, respected and safe. 

“I encourage anyone who wants to know how to support a friend or family member, or learn more about creating healthy family relationships, to come along to one of our workshops.”

Workshop dates and details:

• 26 November – The Erina Centre (meeting room 3), 9.30am-11.30am
• 27 November – Peninsula Theatre Woy Woy, 9.30am-11.30am
• 3 December – San Remo Neighbourhood Centre, 9.30am-11.30am
• 10 December – The Art House Meeting Room, 9.30am-11.30am

Council has also created the ‘I am Generation Change’ campaign - a domestic violence prevention community initiative aimed at Youth. The campaign is designed to educate young people on domestic violence and respectful relationships to encourage social and generational change.

To book for a workshop or find out more information, visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events