The compassionate year 11 student decided he could help make change. 

He enlisted the help of his school mates to create backpacks for children experiencing domestic violence. 

Each bag is filled with a teddy bear, a blanket, pencils, cards, pyjamas, a toy, comic books, toothbrush and toothpaste to, as Lachie said, ‘try to give them a sense of home when they have had to leave’.

More than 60 bags have been donated to Ballarat organisation WRISC Family Violence Support. The bags will be distributed to children who participate in the organisation’s art therapy and counseling programs. 

WRISC community liaison officer Alison said children were the silent victims of domestic violence.  

“As well as the practical side of providing material needs for the children the bags are also an emotional of support for them to know that somebody is caring and has recognised they have a need at a very difficult time,” she said. 

Crime Statistics Agency figures show rural and regional locations have higher rates of family violence than metro areas.

Alison said lowering Ballarat’s statistics would require a whole of community response. 

“The community is saying ‘this is not okay, this is not acceptable in Ballarat, this is not acceptable in Victoria’. It is putting out that message for prevention and awareness that is really important,” she said.

“Awareness and cultural change is how domestic violence is going to stop and how we are going to reduce the rates… It’s about getting out there like Lachie is doing and saying that it is not okay.

“Discussing gender inequality and how it works in a relationship and also making younger people aware of red flags in a relationship is important.”

Lachie said he would work to ensure the backpack collection became an annual event at Ballarat Grammar. 

“This is really the next generation where the message can be put across that domestic violence isn’t okay,” he said. 

READ MORE Domestic violence rates continue to rise across the state