Beyond DV exists to support women and children impacted by domestic violence in Brisbane. Beyond DV was awarded a Social Justice Small Grant to enable women and children to access the internet. Barriers to accessing technology can have a significant impact on the ability of domestic violence survivors to move forward and rebuild their lives.
Beyond DV was able to purchase ten laptops and cases, to be loaned to women for study and personal use, and for their children participating in a homework club program and virtual youth camps. Additionally, funding enabled them to purchase iPads for young people to use in the homework program, and by mentors and tutors.
According to Carolyn Robinson, Founder and Managing Director of Beyond DV,
“DV survivors often leave home with little more than the clothing on their backs, are homeless and lack employment and financial literacy, which often results in poverty, which in turn makes accessing technology very difficult for many of them. There are roughly 5 million households with school-aged children who don’t have access to computers at home and many participants in our programs report they are among them.
Providing laptops and iPads for our Pathways to HOPE Financial Rebuilding Program for DV survivors and HOPE 4 Life Youth Program participants will greatly assist them to complete studies, increase their financial literacy and employability and decrease the likelihood of homelessness and poverty.
Beyond DV is extremely grateful for the support of Mercy Foundation. This grant has allowed us to improve the lives of the families we support, through direct access to technology for their personal use and through our ability to enhance the programs we deliver.”
Over 12 months, the project will have assisted at least 30 women and up to 50 children affected by domestic violence. Learn more about Beyond DV.
