By ANEEKA SIMONIS
CARDINIA Shire is to launch its biggest ever campaign to combat domestic violence.
So far 70 community leaders have joined to devise and enact plans to make a strong and immediate impact on abusive attitudes and behaviours.
Organisers say no idea will be overlooked during the discussions which are due to be held at Cardinia Cultural Centre on Thursday 28 April.
In fact, community input will be vital in fighting the scourge said mayor Jodie Owen who encouraged the community to help change attitudes for generations to come.
“Our children will be safe and free from harm in the family home.
“And as they grow older they will be more resilient and better understand what respectful relationships mean and how to recognise the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship,” she said.
“We will have more gender balance, where men and women are equally valued for their differences, and their likenesses, and where we all know that violence will never resolve issues.”
Ideas will culminate in a masterplan Year of Action which intends to effect immediate change as well as form the important groundwork for a long-term shift.
The plan of attack will be formed on Friday 29 April.
The convention comes as family violence reports in the region jump to an average of four per day in 2014/15 giving Cardinia shire the second highest number of recorded family violence incidents in the city’s south-east.
Sadly, 20 per cent of the localised family violence incidents are carried out by repeat offenders and many are thought to be unreported by victims.
Cr Owen said there were many ways that people could encourage change.
“If we are serious about stopping family violence, we need to be prepared to hold our friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances accountable if they engage in gender inequality, sexist discrimination, use degrading language or are disrespectful towards women,” he said.
“We need to all take up the responsibility of saying ‘that is not OK’ when we witness these behaviours because they lead to violence,” Cr Owen said.
Research shows that family violence seriously affects the psychological, social, emotional and developmental wellbeing of infants, children and adolescents.
Cr Owen said victims’ long-term health and wellbeing are being jeopardised by the epidemic, and it needs to stop now.
“It is most disturbing that during a one-week period in 2015, council’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses supported 24 clients where family violence was identified.”
The Together We Can two-day convention is a joint initiative between Cardinia Shire Council, Family Life, the University of Melbourne and the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.
For more information or to register for the Together We Can convention visit togetherwecan.org.au or join the Together We Can Facebook group.
Anyone who is experiencing family violence can phone the safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188.
