NRMA Insurance is donating $2 million to the Full Stop Foundation, the fundraising arm of Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia, as part of the IAG-backed insurer’s ongoing programme of work in aid of initiatives that help make communities safer, more connected, and resilient.
The funds will be used to increase phone counselling services and support to clients as they move to safety and recovery. Full Stop Foundation executive officer Karen Willis (pictured, right) said the donation comes at a critical time “as we grapple to understand the impact of COVID-19 on people who have experienced domestic violence.”
With the financial assistance from NRMA Insurance, the Full Stop Foundation is looking at not only answering up to 8,000 phone calls through its crisis counselling service but also supporting as many as 50 organisations that provide critical services across the country.
“While we know the number of women accessing sexual, domestic, and family violence services has dropped during the COVID-19 lockdown, domestic violence homicide has increased,” noted Willis. “At the same time, access to services and support, and family and friends has been severely curtailed.
“Because of COVID-19 we fear that the psychological injury of sexual, domestic, and family violence will have escalated considerably. As lockdown measures are reduced, we’re also concerned that violence may escalate as offenders seek to maintain control.”
That is why, the foundation official stressed, helping people safely and discretely access services and support is “incredibly important” at this point.
Meanwhile NRMA Insurance chief executive Mark Milliner (pictured, left) had this to say: “What the COVID-19 pandemic has done is reinforce the importance of having a safe home, and that means putting an end to violence of all kinds.
“We know more needs to be done to help ensure Australians feel safe in their homes, particularly women and children. That’s why we are proud to be helping the Full Stop Foundation expand its important work to help put a stop to sexual, domestic, and family violence.”
