Club Industry Leads the Way in Domestic Violence Support

According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, one in four women in Australia have experienced violence by a partner.

Sadly, this scourge shows no sign of abating, with the issue dominating the public spotlight for much of the year due to the alarming spate of deadly attacks on women — something which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently described as a national crisis.

With the issue affecting so many communities across the state, NSW clubs are doing their bit to try and combat the insidious problem, including helping to fund women’s shelters, emergency accommodation facilities and counselling services.

Most recently, clubs came together for the Catalyst For Change event to discuss what more the industry can be doing in this space.

North Ryde RSL Club is one of many clubs leading the way through proactive policies to assist staff who may have been impacted by domestic violence, through the Leora platform.

“Clubs play an integral part in the social fabric of our society, and we are in a wonderful position to positively impact the lives of our most vulnerable community members.” — North Ryde RSL Club CEO Joe Kelly

Leora is a workplace wellbeing platform that provides comprehensive mental health support. From the convenience of a smartphone, all employees can access live chat 24/7 with a counsellor or book in for a therapy session.

“As well as providing robust support for any staff or patrons who suffer at the hands of abuse, we wanted to take a proactive approach to combating domestic violence,” says North Ryde RSL Club CEO Joe Kelly.

“Leora will help us raise awareness and provide a full suite of support and preventative resources.”

These resources include blogs, journals, podcasts and a library of clinically backed self-guided activities. Leora also features an AI chatbot that guides users through cognitive behaviour therapy sessions to stop negative and unhealth thinking patterns.

“Leora is closing the gap between individuals in need and easily accessible mental healthcare,” says Leora founder and CEO Esha Oberoi. 

“The platform is digitally driven but human led.”

The second phase of the Club’s mental health support will include staff workshops conducted by the Club and local charity The Northern Centre.

“Clubs play an integral part in the social fabric of our society, and we are in a wonderful position to positively impact the lives of our most vulnerable community members,” says Joe.