“Sometimes people have to leave in the middle of the night,” student Amanda Rodda said. 

“It’s important they have a safe place to go where they get what they need.” 

Students involved in the college’s Advance community elective class are driving the initiative, which supports the Zonta Club of Bendigo. 

The club provides 250 to 300 toiletry packs each year to people in need, including those at Annie North and Haven Home Safe.

The toiletry packs contain shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary items, a face washer, a hairbrush, and sometimes hand cream.

“We would be grateful for any donations and the Zonta group would be very appreciative of your help and assistance,” Amanda wrote in a letter to Bendigo businesses.

There is a donation box at the school. 

The college last year raised more than $1000 for the packs. 

Zonta Club of Bendigo media liaison Rosalie Lake said Bendigo schools were supportive of Zonta initiatives such as the toiletry packs and birthing packs for people in third world countries. 

“We really appreciate their support,” she said.

One in six women has experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner, since the age of 15, compared to one in 19 men. 

The most recent incident for 62 per cent of women who experienced physical assault by a male perpetrator occurred in their home.

One in four women has experienced emotional abuse by a former or current partner. 

Of the women who have experienced violence by an ex-partner, 73 per cent experienced more than one incident of violence.

Sixty-one percent of those women had children in their care at the time.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au In an emergency, call 000.