The Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee Inc (CCDVC Inc) has announced Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, will be the keynote speaker at the not-for-profit’s inaugural dinner on Saturday, December 11.
Twenty-seven-year-old, Grace Tame, was named Australian of the Year on January 26 and is a courageous and formidable advocate against the abuse of women and children.
“CCDVC believes the best way to shine a light on the issue of domestic violence on the Central Coast – which is both endemic and epidemic – is with a blowtorch by the name of Grace Tame,” said Vice Chairperson, Sharon Walsh.
“The Coast has some of the highest rates of domestic violence reports to police in NSW and research informs us that because of the nature of domestic abuse and violence, the problem is potentially much bigger than the 600 instances reported to our two local police districts each month,” Walsh said.
“Grace Tame stood strong against her abuser, who was her high school teacher, and then she stood strong against a Tasmanian law which silenced victims of abuse.
“She is an inspirational young woman who continues to be a powerful voice for the victims of coercive control, assault, rape, financial and emotional abuse and we are absolutely delighted she has accepted our invitation to the Central Coast to be the keynote speaker at our Inaugural Gala Dinner.”
Ms Walsh said the dinner was initially to be held in conjunction with CCDVC’s 17th annual Central Coast Connexions conference, but the conference program had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately our academic conference program has now been postponed until 2022 but we did not want to pass up the opportunity to host Grace Tame, so we are inviting the community to join us for our inaugural gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal on Saturday, December 11.
“We are all too familiar with the statistics – on average one woman per week is killed in Australia by her current or a former partner.
“One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence.
Walsh said “It is always the right time to say #NOEXCUSEFORABUSE, to get informed about violence against women and children in our community and find out what we can do to stop it.”
“Please join with us to welcome Grace Tame to the Central Coast on December 11 to stand in support of the women and children in our community who experience violence and the members of the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee to continue their actions to address the drivers of violence against women.”
To secure your tickets for the CCDVC Inc Inaugural Dinner featuring Grace Tame please visit Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/grace-tame-fine-dining-gala-event-tickets-194805447337
Source:
Media release, Nov 4
Sharon Walsh, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee Inc