Councils commit to family violence prevention

Published on 08 December 2017

Horsham Rural City Council, Yarriambiack Shire and West Wimmera Shire have erected family violence prevention signage at the entry to some Wimmera towns.  The signage will be on display during the Victoria Against Violence 16 Days of Activism Campaign which runs until 10 December 2017. 

The signage shows the organisations’ public commitment to preventing family violence and follows on from their membership of the Grampians Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance (CoRE Alliance) and implementation of the Act@Work Program.

Act@Work is a workplace-based program designed to challenge sexism, discrimination and violence against women. Act@Work  has been implemented in the Councils in conjunction with Women’s Health Grampians.

Horsham Rural City Council Director of Community Services Kevin O’Brien, said Council’s Act@Work Action Plan contained a series of actions for Council to work to prevent violence against women.

“The town signage is one way to raise awareness in the community during the 16 Days of Activism,” Mr O’Brien said.

Yarriambiack Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ray Campling said Yarriambiack Shire Council was very proud of its track record in relation to the prevention of family violence.

“We’re particularly proud of our work in the prevention of violence against women and children over a period of ten years. The awareness by the community particularly in recent years that violence in any form is unacceptable and will not be tolerated is gaining significant momentum and is now no longer a crime that is merely 'swept under the carpet.’

“Due credit and acknowledgement needs to be given to the State and Federal governments for their positive and proactive approach and significant funding towards the prevention of violence against women and children in recent years.

“Council is very proud to display the town entry signage and be part of this innovative and creative campaign. Violence against women and children in any form is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

“Women are our mothers, wives, partners, daughters, friends and colleagues and, very importantly, they are unquestionably our equal.”

For further enquiries please contact Mr Kevin O’Brien, Horsham Rural City Council 5382 9743.

Victoria Against Violence

This year marks the third anniversary of the State Government’s Victoria Against Violence – 16 Days of Activism campaign commencing on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November and concluding on International Human Rights Day, 10 December. The initiative seeks to turn Victoria’s attention to the devastating impact that family violence has on the lives of so many. Violence affects too many families in Victoria, and we all have a role to play in preventing violence in our community.