Dare to make a Change?

Did you know, at least one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner, while one in four children are exposed to domestic violence? DARE Formal Wear is a not-for-profit organisation focusing on assisting Domestic Violence victims within the Moreton Bay Region. Karen Johns, founder of Dare, chats to me about the service the organisation provides.

After strolling through the serene grounds of Old Petrie Town Historical Village, I enter the DARE Formal Wear shop front and am greeted by Karen with a warm, comforting hug.

She has been busily sorting through donated dresses with her volunteers but pauses from her work to sit down and chat with me about the charitable work that DARE encompasses.

Karen is a qualified teacher, with pastoral experience and directs the path of DARE with the help of an executive board. She launched the community driven charitable organisation in late 2014 with the aim to fill in the gap to connect domestic violence victims to specialist services, whilst giving them unwavering emotional support.

Karen is no stranger to domestic violence, having once been a victim herself. Her inner strength is immediately apparent, as is her kind and generous heart as she speaks to me about the support services she offers. She passes no judgement on women, whether they choose to leave or stay.

I just want to give women the hope that there is a better life

She says, as she details how she provides information so that women can make healthy and informed choices for not only themselves but for their children as well.

Empowering women and protecting children from witnessing these experiences is what drives this charity. In conjunction with local churches, DARE’s goal is to provide ongoing support to families affected by domestic family violence.

Another venture of DARE, is the DARE Formal Wear store, which offers donated formal wear at an affordable price to generate funds to raise awareness and to provide ongoing support to families who have been affected by domestic violence.

Using the funds from the Formal Wear store, DARE offers Year twelve students the opportunity to attend their end of year formal, if, for some reason during the year they realise that financially they will be unable to go. DARE provides students with either a dress, suit, shoes, jewellery or financial help towards purchasing a ticket.

This offer extends to not only victims of domestic or family violence but anyone who make be experiencing extreme hardship, whatever the situation may be.

Karen also makes time in her busy schedule to visit local highschools to speak with and educate teenagers about the epidemic of domestic violence we are facing within our Community.

Domestic violence comes in many different forms, including verbal, physical, emotional, social, financial, sexual and spiritual. Creating fear and intimidating are also forms of domestic violence, as well as controlling behaviour, separation violence, stalking and the worst case scenario, domestic homicide.

On average, a victim returns seven times before permanently leaving.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, or you would like to assist DARE in any way, please visit www.dareformalwear.com.au