< PreviousSMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 9 Research shows that one in three women and one in five men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. That’s someone’s sister, brother, mother, father, aunty, uncle, best friend—someone that you know. It doesn’t discriminate in age, gender, culture, religion or economic background. It affects us all.A dedicated group of three women have come together to form the not-for-profit Friends With Dignity, whose aim is to assist the victims of domestic violence through a range of programs such as creating sanctuaries, providing urgent care items, and special assistance to the most innocent of domestic violence victims, the children.ASAFEHAVENby Friends with Dignity- PAGE 10 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEF or this month’s special theme of Celebrating Women, we asked these amazing women about their inspiration in forming Friends with Dignity – these are their stories.MANUELA WHITFORDFOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERI don’t have a personal DV story but what I can say is that I know and understand what living in fear meansSeven years ago I moved to Australia from South Africa seeking a life where I no longer had to live in fear!About two years before immigrating, leaving family, friends and the place I called home, I was assaulted by eight men. I was on my way to see a patient and never did I imagine I would become a victim that day.Following this horrendous experience, I vowed I would never be a victim to such behaviour again, and promptly started making plans to immigrate.Eight months on, I was in court testifying as a state witness, and three days in I was boarding a plane to Australia - the land of plenty, the Utopia of all places! I could not wait to live without fear!SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 11I had secured a job with Queensland Health working in the women’s prison system, and immediately realised that, as much as I escaped violence in South Africa which happened in public places, I was extremely shocked to learn how many of the women in the prison system were seeking refuge from violence happening within their own homes - the place that I most associate with safety, warmth and love. These women were committing crimes to escape.There are so many forms of violence, and as much as I’m helping men, women and children affected by Domestic and Family Violence (as that is what I saw as prevalent here in Australia), I will stand against any form of violence towards anyone!Violence of any form or manner is unacceptable, and I will not allow my experience to define me. I am committed to making a change to these destructive behaviours that affect, not only the victim, but their family, friends, community and our society!- PAGE 12 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEZOE SCHARENGUIVELDIRECTOR & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERTowards the end of 2014, I was continually lighting candles at home to acknowledge the numerous women and children who were being reported on the news after being killed by domestic violence or under tragic circumstances.As a busy stay-at-home Mum of three children under 3 (including a 7 month old baby!), this was my personal way of acknowledging these victims and paying respect to their families.In early 2015, however, a personal connection of mine was tragically killed by her ex-partner resulting in not only her tragic death, but also the death of her unborn baby as she was also 10 weeks pregnant. The extended grief of her passing that I witnessed in my personal network really opened my eyes to the ripple effect domestic violence has on the community in general.I wanted to do something more than just light another candle, and planned to organise a small lunch with a few of my girlfriends to raise some money to donate to an organisation in support of domestic violence prevention.SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 13Due to interest and my personal contacts, this small lunch quickly turned into something much bigger with a restaurant offering its entire venue exclusively to us for the lunch, representatives from the Queensland Police Service Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Unit offering to present, an MC offering their services and also a famous international illusionist offering to perform. We had the media and local Government councillors attend as well. The lunch quickly sold out, and more than $5,000 was raised.Co-ordinating this event connected me with Manuela who was at the time the Co-Founder of Assist-a-Sista, and we formed a strong personal relationship built on a common goal to make a significant difference to families affected by DV and the community in general. I also thoroughly enjoyed re-connecting with many of my contacts with whom I worked closely in my previous corporate roles before having kids!- PAGE 14 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEWe launched Friends with Dignity on the 1st of September, 2015 and I haven’t looked back. As we are 100% self-funded, a major part of my role has been to raise incoming funds for the organisation through fundraising initiatives and in-kind support. We have been operating for just over two years now, and still going strong!Although I haven’t personally been subjected to Domestic and Family Violence, I am just a normal everyday member of the community who chose to “Step Up and Support”, and now, working alongside Manuela and Julia and a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers, have helped more than 1,000 men, women and children sleep soundly and safely in their own bed at night, and dream of a brighter future.SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 15 JULIA MCKENNADIRECTOR & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERI’ve always had a social conscience, even growing up.During high school, I was President of our Amnesty International Club, and a volunteer in Sydney’s Bush Fire Brigade after the massive fires of 1993. Whilst living overseas, I helped raise funds for St Jude India, a charity helping children suffering from cancer.However career and family took the forefront of my life for many years, like it does for most people, and therefore less time for offering my services voluntarily.That was until whilst my family and I were living in Singapore, one of my family members, Allison Baden-Clay, was murdered by her husband. The very extreme of Domestic Violence.- PAGE 16 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEIt was the most uplifting experience of my life. Being able to allow another human being, to feel safe, cared for, and a valued member of the community was unbelievable. Through that first Sanctuary, I met the most wonderful volunteers and donors, that just wanted to help, but didn’t know how. Social Media made it easier for the average person on the street to give a helping hand to another.After a time, I eventually met with Manuela and from there, agreed to help establish Friends With Dignity, and become a Board Member, Director and Chief Financial Officer.The rest is history as they say!This was enough drive for me. Once we returned to Australia, I knew this was where I needed to focus my time and energies. No man, woman or child should ever face what Allison did.I happened across Assist-A-Sista on Facebook, which lead to me becoming a volunteer in the most random way possible. I answered a call-out for anyone in my local area…..I thought they just wanted something picked up and dropped off! But five minutes later, I received a call from Manuela asking if I would be a Team Leader. “What is a Team Leader?”, I asked naively. This conversation led me to putting my first “Sanctuary” together, with my husband, children and friends rallying around.SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 17- PAGE 18 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE WOMENAREGREATLEADERS: THE DATA SAYS SOby Jan HillsL eadership is for many organisations a top priority say today’s CEOs. In the 21st Century it’s no longer considered responsible, ethical or profitable to just keep on running things the way they always have been. Leading an organisation today is much more challenging: markets are changing rapidly, new ideas and new competitors are springing up, and customers have different expectations. Social media and the accessibility of information mean a leader is no longer a nebulous name in the annual accounts, but a person who is in the public eye and who will be called out for what is judged to be poor behaviour.Next >