By Jesse Graham
STAND up and speak out against violence against women.
That was the focus of a meeting on Friday 25 November, where almost 100 Yarra Ranges Council employees heard speeches from their CEO and a guest speaker about family violence.
The event was organised by council under the banner of White Ribbon on the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women, to launch its 16 Days of Activism in the lead-up to International Human Rights day on 10 December.
Council CEO Glenn Patterson spoke at the meeting, at Lillydale Lake, and said the two days “reinforce the concept of a life free of violence, a human right”.
He said there were four cases of family violence every day in the Yarra Ranges, and that the topic of violence against women was often “clouded in myth”, with people not aware or misattributing the causes.
“It is still maintained by some that women are as violent as men, and it is still commonly misunderstood to be caused by mental health, drugs and alcohol, cultural factors and economic pressures – these may contribute, but they are not the casual factors,” Mr Patterson said.
“The common denominator is gender; the uncomfortable truth is that this is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men, and women and children are overwhelmingly the victims,” he said.
“International research shows that violence against women occurs to a greater or lesser extent, depending on a few key factors: rigid adherence to gender stereotypes, the status of women compared to men and our violence-tolerant attitudes.”
Mr Patterson quoted former-General David Morrison’s speech, where he stated “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” and said there were “lots of good men” and hoped to eliminate violence against women.
“We can stop violence against women and children, but it will take collective action from all of us here – it will take all of us calling out unacceptable behaviour and all of us considering our own words, our own jokes and the language that we use,” he said.
Women’s Health East speaker Kalee Henry then spoke about her personal experience with family violence, and being turned away or ignored by the people closest to her.
“The friends I confided in didn’t want to get involved,” she said.
“When I finally shared what I found horrifying with one particular work colleague, she said her husband was doing the same thing.”
“Hurt and let down is an understatement, but I was just mostly dumbfounded – I was talking about being on the receiving end of mental, physical, emotional, financial, sexual and violently challenging behaviours – I was looking for answers.”
She said the key to preventing violence against women was in education, and that educating future generations about healthy relationships now could help to change behaviours and attitudes in future.
The staff members then went for a walk around Lillydale Lake, which will have a large white ribbon present on one of its islands for the 16 Days of Activism.
Yarra Ranges Council waste trucks and fleet vehicles will also be emblazoned with anti-violence against women messages for the period.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the 24-hour National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT) or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292.
For more information, visit www.secasa.com.au
In a violent or intimidating situation where police assistance is needed, always call triple-zero.
