Serco is proud to contribute to the 16 Days of Activism campaign in Western Australia (WA), through the effort of our team at Acacia Prison.
With the support of Aunty Jocelyn Jones and Aunty Rosalie Kickett, staff and prisoners at Acacia Prison have been working together to raise awareness and better understand family and domestic violence (FDV), while also exploring the connection between being a victim/survivor and later becoming a perpetrator.
Under the guidance and support of Serco’s team, many of the men involved in the program at Acacia Prison have identified that their actions were part of a cycle of violence they had experienced growing up. One participant reflected, “I now know it didn’t start with us, but I’ve also learnt it stops with us.”
To mark their commitment to change, Acacia Prison Superintendent, John Harrison will lead a March against Family and Domestic Violence in Perth on Monday 25 November 2024, carrying a banner made by the men at Acacia Prison. On the day prior, three groups of 21 men will complete 85 laps of the Acacia Prison oval, mirroring the community march. Each lap representing a woman killed this year due to domestic violence.
Dr Alison Evans, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, will join the men for the first lap of their march, stating she is heartened to see the way the men are using their own journeys and experiences to be the change needed to break the cycle of family and domestic violence.
“A difficult but important first step in changing harmful attitudes and behaviours is taking responsibility for those behaviours and understanding the impact of violent or abusive behaviour on partners, former partners and children. To see men at Acacia Prison playing their part in the 16 days in WA Campaign fills me with hope that change is possible,” said Dr Evans.
Art has also played a major role in educating and healing, with the men in the prison creating two significant pieces of art to symbolise their commitment to ending FDV. The first work features 85 handprints, which will be displayed inside the prison as a constant reminder to the men of this commitment.
The second artwork, features two koi fish, representing perseverance, courage, and transformation. Painted in rainbow colours to show reflection, the work also has 85 water lilies in various sizes to represent the women lost to FDV. The work will be donated to Zonta House as a gift, demonstrating Serco’s dedication to community outreach and ending domestic violence.
The prison is also honoured to have Communicare’s Head of Aboriginal Engagement, Alira Kelly attending the march, which will conclude with a sorry dance on the oval.