‘Community safety net’: Salvation Army calling for donations for Red Shield Appeal

Organisers of a leading South West welfare charity are desperately calling for donations to help support struggling families, including those escaping from domestic violence. The Salvation Army has launched its Red Shield Appeal, an annual donation request to raise money and recruit volunteers to contribute to local projects to support the safety and wellbeing of those less fortunate. Now in its 57th year, the RSA national focus is on family and domestic violence, which is broadly attributed to economic insecurity off the back of the pandemic. It comes after a report by the South Western Times which exposed a 20 per cent rise in domestic violence in the South West over the past two years. The Bunbury RSA is looking for donations and volunteers in the region to help support the Salvation Army’s national focus on family and domestic violence, as well as enable a community garden, continue support of the food van, and support the running of the Positive Lifestyle Program locally. Salvation Army regional captain Mark Schatz said this year’s appeal was critical to help battle the rise in costs of living. “Its more important than ever this year, with the cost of living going through the roof, petrol prices soaring, people struggling like never before and we know it’s tough because we see it coming through our doors,” he said. “The Salvation Army is the community safety net, we catch people as they are falling and help them transform their lives for the better.” Mr Schatz said the rise of domestic violence had increased the need for education, starting from the welfare system. “We believe all people should be treated with dignity, respect and care, and when we talk about family domestic violence we really are talking about power abuse and someone being treated lower than someone else. That equality shouldn’t happen in any space, shape or form,” he said. “Domestic violence, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse are all on the rise because life is throwing more and more pressure at us and unfortunately some people take it out in a negative space. “Domestic violence is a negative response to pressure, so if we can teach them and really educate differently on how to deal with pressure, all of a sudden that changes the dynamics and we can solve issues.” The Red Shield Appeal is run over the months of April, May and June each year, with the national doorknock taking place on the last weekend of this month, May 28 and 29. To support the RSA, you can sign up on the digital door knock page at digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/t/bunbury-salvos.