Funding cuts could end Age of Rage

The Enough is Enough Anti-Violence Movement is under threat of being forced to cut many of its programs after suffering a funding shortfall.

This comes after the State Government cut approximately $64,000 of funding towards the organisation, formed by Ken Marslew following his son’s death in 1994 due to an armed robbery.

The majority of the proposed cuts are towards its education programs focussed on schools and local communities, all of which fall under the banner of the “Peacemaker Project”.

“The State Government hasn’t given us a reason why they have cut off funding,” said Kim Simpson, spokesperson for Enough is Enough.

“We’re a non-profit organisation and we have to survive on any funding we can possibly get.

“Now that the State Government has left behind a funding gap, we now have to find other sources to fill that gap.”

Ms Simpson also said that the cut in funding has meant that its annual Age of Rage Conference, being held at the SMA Conference & Function Centre on June 19 and 20, is unlikely to continue from next year.

The conference is generally aimed at those who work in the community services, and confronts a range of major social issues such as domestic violence, school and workplace bullying, drug and alcohol fuelled violence and youth problems.

Dr Anne Wyatt, one of the conference’s guest speakers, is appalled that the State Government has cut funding for Enough is Enough.

“To undo the cycle of violence requires many resources,” said Dr Wyatt. “That’s why I’m proud of Ken. People are breaking out of the cycle of violence through his programs.”

However, Dr Wyatt believes a possible reason for the cuts stems from governments seeking short-term, measurable outcomes from the programs it funds.

“Enough is Enough is concerned with prevention, and it is difficult to measure what you have prevented,” Dr Wyatt said. “Any preventive program has a huge challenge to demonstrate that it is producing positive outcomes.

“The organisation needs more funding in order to effectively evaluate its programs. The purpose of the funding would be to show the effectiveness of programs and also reveal whether they could be improved.”

The Age of Rage Conference will be replaced with a smaller conference focused on youth-oriented issues from next year.

By Adrian Flores