The statistics are now common knowledge. One in every three women will experience physical violence from the age of 15. A woman dies every week at the hands of a previous or current partner. 18% of Australian women have been sexually assaulted (OurWatch 2018). These figures don’t just impact the women who are subjected to the violent behavior but also their children.
That’s why Senior Constable Jo-Anne Arthur decided to create a program to help struggling families. With the help of the Confident Girls Foundation, Arthur formed the Creating Confidence program alongside the Caboolture Netball Association and Moreton Police District. It was a way for police and the netball communities to form a partnership that taught resilience, formed a safe space and most of all created a little bit of fun – because these are kids after all, and they deserve to feel like it!
“If I can give them a space where they feel safe… that can make a huge difference.” Jo-Anne Arthur
“I see how troubled kids can be after what happens in the home, I have seen these children transform and become more confident through sport,” explains Arthur, “Netball has given them somewhere to go and forget about everything, even if it’s just for an hour.”
The program runs multiple events, Suncorp NetSetGO, coaching for those who are new to the game, winter and summer seasons, representative development and squad selection. Altogether roughly 45 girls have benefitted from the program – as well as their families. The program also offers education to all members of the association on healthy relationships, respect and domestic violence. Coaches have a program to make them aware of vulnerable children and what to do if a child is at risk.
One mother of two participants talked about how the program has helped her, “It’s a great distraction for the girls during hard times. In the past being in big crowds and open spaces is something we avoided. Going to netball has been like an escape… [it] is bringing big changes to our lives and we’re becoming stronger together.”
After a successful beginning, the program will continue in 2019 with 15 girls already registered in the various programs.
