The ‘Change for Sam’ organisation, now a registered charity, arose as a response to the trauma of losing a very close friend, Samantha, who was murdered by her former husband. The founder, Lija Matthews, decided there must be a proactive way that women who live in fear of their lives due to conflict with their current or former partner could be supported. Sam was aware that she was at risk and had several mobile phones with her, but when her attacker surprised her in the garage of her home, she did not have time to make a call for help.
With this motivation in mind, Lija has spearheaded a campaign to distribute a personal alarm to women who are living in fear, with no charge for the alarm and with twelve months of monitoring 24 hours a day included. The alarm, when triggered, starts recording and a response will come within minutes. The recording can be used in court if needed, if there are issues around breeching an AVO or the like.
The ’Change for Sam’ group has been active in promoting the distribution of these alarms, hoping to have support from organisations such as Vic Police. At the moment they are being distributed through the Salvation Army, The Orange Door and domestic violence support centres. To date 100 of the alarms have been distributed.
One challenge for the organisation is funding the alarms, which cost just under $1100 with twelve months of monitoring included. They also undertake to extend the monitoring beyond 12 months if the situation still warrants this support. They are also campaigning for alarms that are no longer needed, perhaps due to relocation or incarceration of the person of threat, to be returned and reissued.
All present at the meeting and hearing Lija were impressed with her motivation and courage, to rise above the pain of losing a dear friend to come up with a tangible action to help others in the same situation.
We wish Lija great success with this campaign and thank her for her time.
