15th November 2010

For immediate release

Meet Di Morrisey, guest speaker at the Older Women’s Worth and Well Being Luncheon.

Author Di Morrisey will be coming to Lismore on Thursday 25th November as aguest speaker at a luncheon to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The luncheon, hosted by the Lismore Domestic Violence Liaison Committee, aimsto raise awareness of the issues faced by older women who are experiencing domestic violence.

More older women are becoming victims ofdomestic violence. In 2005, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that women aged 45 years and older reporting physical violence against them had increased from 15% to 25%.

Agencies who work with women experiencing domestic violence say that older women often have different issues and different concerns about their situation. Snr Con Jenny Maxworthy a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer based atLismore police station said

“Older women are often exposed to abuse by a broader range of family members. We see a lot of problems occurring when adult children who have been in trouble with the law move back in with mum so they have an address for bail purposes. Older mums are put in a difficult situation; most do not want to see their adult children in custody so will provide them with a place to stay even though they know they are putting their own safety at risk. Policebecome involved in seeking protection orders for these women when things go wrong.”

Sally Penhaligon from the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service said

“Older women are often silent and stoic about the violence in their lives asthey have sometimes been living with the situation for some time. They have invested heavily in their families and are often the main care giver to the person who is abusing them. Sometimes other family members don’t support older women to change the situation so women do not have the confidence to speak up.

Many older women do not see leaving the relationship as a viable option; they see refuges as a place for young women with children and can’t imagine how they could survive financially on their own. Often older women have had little to do with the marital finances and have been told that if they leave they will leave with nothing. Older women often tell us thatit is this emotional abuse, financialcontrolas well as the withdrawal of all affection from the relationship that they find most difficult.

The Older Women’s Worth and Wellbeing Luncheon will be held on 25th November at 11.30 am at the Lismore CWA tearooms located in SpinksParkbehind the Fire Station onMolesworth Street. The Lismore Domestic Violence Committee would like to extend an invitation to older woman tocome along to meet author Di Morrisey and join us for a complimentary lunch sponsored by the NSW police and a small gift from Sanctum Organic Skin Care. Places are limited so please RSVP to the Lismore Women’s Resource Centre on 6622 5551.

Media Contact:Sally Penhaligon

6621 1044 or 0427668853