New South Wales school tackling domestic violence head on
ABC New England
By Jennifer Ingall and Matt O'Neil
Posted FriFriday 8 AprApril 2016 at 12:44amFriFriday 8 AprApril 2016 at 12:44am
A school in northern New South Wales is tackling the issue of domestic violence head on and its young men are reaping the rewards.
For five years, Tamworth High School has run a white ribbon campaign.
What is usually a week-long promotion, this school runs the campaign all year round. It is proving so successful, 2016 has seen the addition of girls to the program.
"I have a strong belief in student wellbeing. Kids that are happy and feeling safe are going to perform better at school," principal Daniel Wilson said.
According to Mr Wilson the program encourages self-confidence and teaches self-worth through a series of workshops, providing a safe platform for students to speak about issues they may be facing at home.
Jesse Aiken is a former student who came to the program in his early teens. Teachers noticed he was struggling and confronted him.
"I told her I had a few problems with domestic violence at home, and my parents arguing," he said.
Mr Aikin said he was encouraged to join the white ribbon program and had not looked back since.
"I learned a lot of morals and values that basically made me the man I am today," he said.
"I've had strangers message me on Facebook asking for help and it feels good when I can help them."
He said one of the biggest lessons was to not let emotion escalate domestic violence issues.
"Don't get involved in it more; try to step away from the incident that's happening," he said.
"Say if you are having a fight with your partner, you don't want to get up in their face back at them because it just leads on from there."
Support and report
The mantra of the program is simple. If you know someone who is struggling because of domestic violence issues, support them, and if that doesn't work report the problem. This could be to a staff member of even higher authorities like police.
Students involved admit they have changed for the better because of the program.
Tyson Waters said the program had turned his life around over the past five years.
"I was heading down the wrong path, just making dumb choices and not really committing to school or anything," he said.
"I've just become a better person now, I have shaped into a young man that has learnt about responsibility and good ethics."
A garden for reflection
The school has established a white ribbon garden, which is an area for senior students, but all years can be involved with its upkeep.
At the moment, year eight boys have been tasked with researching what could be planted to display white blooms come November.
Tamworth High School Tyson Waters and Deputy Captain Ashleigh Bridge say the garden is a great addition to the program. (Jennifer Ingall)
"There is I suppose an issue in society that schools can fix everything, and that's not possible, but we do have a role to play in the development of our community," Mr Wilson said.
"This is not a primary school level program in essence because they are too young. High school is when kids are making up their mind, and to be honest we are one of the key influences in kids' lives — us and parents — sometimes the only positive influence on a kid's life," he said.
The students say the white ribbon program highlights that people suffering from it are not alone and is safe to speak out about it.
School captain Jessie Browne said the program had made her incredibly proud.
"I feel like it's been a hidden concept within our society and in the beginning it was a small group of boys that were a part of white ribbon and it's just grown so much and there's just been so much more awareness through our school," Jessie said.
Posted 8 AprApril 2016FriFriday 8 AprApril 2016 at 12:44am
So far today police in Australia would have dealt with on average
domestic violence matters
Learn more about these numbers
Family and domestic violence support:
1800 Respect national helpline:
Women's Crisis Line:
Men's Referral Service:
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line):
Relationships Australia:
NSW Domestic Violence Line:
Qld DV Connect Womensline:
Vic Safe Steps crisis response line:
ACT 24/7 Crisis Line:
Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:
SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line:
WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline:
NT Domestic violence helpline:
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