Driving meaningful change for women in crisis

It’s a sad fact that a quarter of all women have experienced some form of violence from an intimate partner. And alarmingly, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women the domestic and family violence rate is 3.1 times higher than non-Indigenous women.

Such distressing numbers underscore the importance of making a change. And the partnership between female-focussed insurance company Stella and the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) – an initiative aimed at aiding women and children escaping domestic violence – is doing just that.

It’s a collaboration that couldn’t be more important right now, and as of June 2023 it has raised a total of $112,630 to help women and children walk away from domestic and family violence, and assist survivors on their journey to recovery.

Stella is dedicated to forging a safer world for women, promoting gender equality and combatting gender-based violence, and thanks to the insurer donating $5 from every new car insurance policy, WAGEC has been able to positively impact the lives of over 2,100 women and children. These donations have provided essential material aid, including non-perishables, toiletries, and other necessities to women and children escaping violence.

The WAGEC volunteers are working to end gender-based violence.

WAGEC’s Director of Fundraising and Communities, Chloe Sarapas shares the difference this support means to the centre: “Stella’s support of WAGEC in our first two years of partnership has helped to operate our Donations Program… This support is vital, and we are excited to see it continue this year and beyond as we work together toward safer futures for all women and their families.”

The dedicated team of WAGEC volunteers works tirelessly to make a difference, driven by the real need to end gender violence and create a safer future for all.

And while donations make a difference, education is important too. This ongoing partnership extends beyond providing donations to WAGEC: Stella has participated in their Walk for WAGEC fundraising event, and has also co-created resources for women and loved ones navigating domestic violence, including a guide of how to be an ally for a loved one navigating domestic abuse.

Stella Insurance’s Global CEO and Founder, Sam White, is extremely proud of this partnership and the difference it makes: “We want to truly deliver on our promise to be there for women. That’s why we started giving $5 from every car insurance policy to the WAGEC, now totalling more than $100,000. Knowing that we’re part of a collective effort to make women safer is hugely rewarding and powerful.”

To find out more about Stella’s female-focussed insurance and how the purpose-driven organisation is working to build a better world for women, visit stellainsurance.com.au.

If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.