Zonta Club of Melbourne

06/13/2026

Our own Sandy Michelson won a raffle basket at the Space Coast Connects Rubber Duck Regatta at the Beachside Hotel and Suites.

06/07/2026

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month may have ended, but awareness and action don't stop on 31 May.

Every woman deserves to feel safe and heard. Every day, women across Queensland are taking brave steps towards safer futures.

As we move into June, let's continue to:
➡️Believe and support victim-survivors
➡️Learn more about the signs and impacts of coercive control and abuse
➡️Share information about available support services – including WLSQ
➡️Challenge attitudes that excuse or minimise violence
➡️Advocate for safer communities where women and children can thrive

If you're experiencing domestic or family violence, know this: you are not alone and help is available.

You can find some helpful, free resources on our website: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/

If you need support:
🚨In immediate danger? Call 000
📱DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
📱13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

⚖️Free DFV legal help – WLSQ’s Statewide Helpline: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)

06/07/2026

Now take those tools taught and implement them to save lives from human trafficking!

We recently trained more than 600 people working in law enforcement across the U.S. on how to respond to the human trafficking of youth.

We were speaking specifically on the trafficking of youth in the digital age – and how to respond to the rise in online exploitation. Perpetrators are known to target youth who are unhoused or runaway, involved in the foster care system, struggling with mental health or substance use, or experiencing family instability.

The recent online training – via Justice Clearinghouse – was attended by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social workers, mental health providers and other professionals from across 45 states and eight countries.

Our Investigator Devon Greiter and Senior Investigator Mark Herbst spoke on:

- The global picture
- Statistics from the U.S.
- How technology has accelerated and expanded traffickers’ ability to recruit and exploit youth
- Traffickers’ techniques when targeting youth online
- Sextortion and how predators use deceptive romantic relationships to demand money, content or sexual compliance
- How AI is being used to fabricate explicit images
- Effective responses to trafficking victims and survivors

Devon Greiter said: “Having the opportunity to speak to a group of over 600 individuals representing the various professions that work with trafficking survivors was an amazing opportunity. This diverse group mirrors the multi-disciplinary approach that is so important in working trafficking cases. Bringing everyone together in a shared training space, be it virtual or in-person, allows professionals to collaborate on how they can work together to help support trafficking survivors."

Members of Justice Clearinghouse can watch the recording of the training here: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/resource/human-trafficking-of-youth-in-the-digital-age/

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

This was a wonderful event!

06/03/2026

What are you doing tonight? Come and join us at the Space Coast Connects Rubber Duck Regatta at the Beachside Hotel and Suites from 5:30 - 7:30 tonight! Sponsor a duck or a few ducks for a chance to win! Fun for a great cause!!

05/22/2026

Shared

Healing starts with support, connection, and community. 💜

The Women’s Center of Brevard is launching our Domestic Violence Recovery Workshops beginning May 22 at our Melbourne office. These workshops are designed to help survivors build coping skills, understand trauma, strengthen healthy relationship skills, and focus on personal growth in a safe and supportive environment.

✨ Topics include:
• Emotions & Coping Skills
• Domestic Violence & Trauma
• Healthy Relationships
• Post-Traumatic Growth
• Expressive Arts Techniques (no artistic experience required!)

📅 Starts May 22
🕥 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Women’s Center of Brevard – Melbourne Office

⚠️ Registration is required to attend.
📞 Call (321) 242-3110
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

You are not alone. Support is here. 💜

05/16/2026

Continually raising awareness … listen to become educated on human trafficking!

05/16/2026

Need stricter legislation and laws passed!

FEDERAL HUMAN SMUGGLER OUT IN LESS THAN 9 MONTHS.
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Raymond Neil Smith II smuggled at least 98 migrants - including unaccompanied children - from the Bahamas into Brevard County. His son was involved in the operation. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. He was paid nearly $300,000 for the migrants by unknown third parties.
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He's already out.
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And here's where it gets infuriating:
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He named his new $1 million boat "FLIGHT RISK." His 18-year-old son flaunts it on TikTok as his own. The audacity is staggering.
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But there's more.
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Smith got his sentence slashed from a guideline range of 97-121 months down to just 30 months because he snitched. He provided information to federal investigators about smuggling networks and associates operating in Brevard County. That cooperation led directly to ICE enforcement raids across Brevard in late 2024 and early 2025.
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While serving just 9 months in federal prison, Smith kept his contractor licenses active. His roofing company pulled 139 building permits in Brevard County alone since his guilty plea - including 24 permits after he was sentenced, and 3 more while he was literally sitting in federal prison at Coleman.
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He's now operating out of a halfway house with a $1 million boat, his teenage son in tow, and his licenses still active and starting new businesses.
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Read the full investigation in the comments. This is what regulatory failure looks like in Brevard County.
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