Classes help residents feel safe

The Latrobe Health Assembly is addressing head-on a community priority for individuals to feel safe, with the first round of free self-defence training classes rolling out soon.

The initial round of classes are aimed at empowering the women who live, work or study in Morwell and will be facilitated by The 44 Gym. Further classes will be held for women who live work or study in Traralgon, Churchill, Moe and the surrounding suburbs as the program rolls out.

The Morwell classes booked out rapidly, highlighting the desire to feel safe within the community.

All of the sessions over the coming months will allow women across Latrobe City to apply for the empowering course.

Latrobe Health Assembly Executive Officer Mr Ian Needham: “One of the findings reflected in the Latrobe City Council Municipal Health and Wellbeing plan, is that ‘Feeling Safe’ is a community priority. The concept of the self-defence classes was discussed within the Health Assembly and agreed that such a program would be a good trial to see if such courses can help people feel safe within our community.

“Unfortunately the rate of family violence and violence against women is quite high in our community. It is something that everyone should be aware of and be working together to address.”

To keep up to date on when the community self-defence classes will be rolled out to women in your nearest town, ‘Like’ the Latrobe Health Assembly’s Facebook page and make sure you get in quick as spots at each location are strictly limited.

The Latrobe Health Assembly is a Victorian State Government initiative to empower the community of Latrobe City to create and influence projects that affect the health and wellbeing of the residents within Latrobe City. To find out more about the Latrobe Health Assembly, visit healthassembly.org.au