Standing up for others

At The Ark Inc
Warrior. Mentor. Friend.

Xenia Schembri believes people should not need to accept bad behaviour from anyone, and co-founded At The Ark to support victims of abuse and domestic violence.

The charity helps more than 100 families in several ways, including by providing food parcels, help with emergency accommodation and counselling.

"I walk with the families towards healing from the pain they have suffered," says Xenia, who is a qualified counsellor. "I want families and individuals to know their worth."

Xenia aims to help men and women change, to respect the people they live with and to build each other up instead of pulling them down.

"I would also like to get people the help that they need before the violence starts."

Xenia has written the Brave Little Bear series of books to help children and adults recognise and report abusive behaviour.

Xenia's aim is for the books to be made available to every primary school classroom so they can be available for all children, not only those who are known to be at risk.

"The statistics are that one in five children will be sexually abused before they are 18," she says. "We want to see these statistics change.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. At The Ark will use its grant to fund preventative programs and to provide material aid to families affected by child abuse.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here