Bankstown Sports helps victims of domestic violence

A group of Muslim women and children affected by domestic violence are set to receive an experience of a lifetime thanks, in part, to Bankstown Sports Club.

The Muslim Women Support Centre in the Bankstown area is sending 12 women and eight children on a three-day retreat in December. Along with receiving crucial counselling and support they will rock-climb, swim, learn to bush cook and go horse-riding – all for the first time.

Bankstown Sports provided the $7000 needed to make the retreat possible through the club's Community Development Support Expenditure scheme.

Muslim Women Support Centre co-ordinator Feda Rifai says those attending the getaway are victims of physical and emotional abuse and have been receiving crisis accommodation at the centre.

By sending the group on the retreat it will provide a brief respite from their day-to-day situations and instil much needed confidence by exposing them to physical outdoor pursuits.

"We want to help their self-esteem grow and we want them to laugh and to simply get away – even if it is only for a few days," Ms Rifai says.

"Financial hardship is a big thing for single mothers, so this trip will be a massive boost for them," she says.

Ms Rifai says the idea for the retreat came from the women themselves, through the suggestion box we have at the centre.

"They are so excited to be taking their children away. They are already excited at the thought of rock-climbing and horse-riding."

The retreat will feature information sessions on domestic violence and provide guidance on how to best utilise social services available in the Bankstown area. There will be activities specific to children as well.

The Muslim Women Support Centre provides short-term crisis accommodation to women and children escaping domestic violence, homelessness and other hardships.

Bankstown Sports' Assisant Secretary/Manager, Mark Condi says, "Supporting initiatives like the Muslim Women Support Centre's retreat is very important to the club. Everyone in the community deserves a fair go, especially victims of domestic violence, and we are glad we can help. It's also great to know the retreat will involve fun physical activities for the women and children."