Vol. No. Vol. 2518No. 3027
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Wednesday, 2016 Wednesday, January February13, 8, 2023
MEMORIAL RIDE: Shane and Lisa O’Riley joined more than 500 motorcycle riders for the 2023 Grampians Ride to Remember on Sunday. The event raises money for Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation. Story, more pictures, page 30. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Gambling harm help BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
N
ew research has detailed the intergenerational harm of gambling.
A Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation study highlighted the negative and complex impacts and harm to the mental health of adults exposed to their parent’s gambling during childhood. These included impaired childparent relationships, psychological wellbeing, and education and career opportunities. The study found that parents and
children identified vastly differing patterns and degrees of harm to children caused by parental problem gambling – parents most commonly focused on financial impacts but children focused on psychosocial impacts. It comes as 2020-21 gambling foundation data showed people visiting three Horsham venues put more than $27,000 a day, on average, through poker machines – for a total spend of $5.8-million across the financial year. People visiting venues in Ararat spent more than $14,000 a day at its two venues, or more than $3-million
a year; and people visiting two venues in Northern Grampians spent more than $11,000 a day, or $2.4-million for the year. Cafs, also known as Child and Family Services, Ballarat, is among service providers to support Wimmera people and their families. Saniya Goriawala, Cafs’ advanced practitioner Gambler’s Help, said the study highlighted a need for greater consistency when assessing and treating children of gamblers, and the need for increased service co-ordination, particularly among family welfare services.
She said it encouraged practitioners to think more broadly about treatment. “I have noticed, within myself as a therapist, that when the person who has gambled is in the room, we focus on what they are presenting; we don’t automatically think about how their behaviour impacts others around them – especially children,” she said. “Cafs is a child safety organisation and we place great importance on child safety – so this study helps us work in that way more effectively. “It also allows us to psychoeducate
our clients and bring awareness to how their behaviour impacts others.” Participants in the study emphasised the financial impact of parental gambling, such as living in poverty, missing out on educational activities and materials, and nutritious food, but reported their parents would always have money to gamble. Participants discussed negative impacts on their education and career pathways as they withdrew from education to care for siblings or earn money to support their family. Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Wimmera Harvest Fare plans • ‘Protect your loved ones’ • Perkin wins in Spain Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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