November 13, 2015

Macedon ranges says no to family violence

Forty-five businesses and community organisations across the Macedon Ranges are taking a stand to "Say NO to family violence in our community".

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, is calling on community organisations across the Macedon Ranges to unite and "Say NO to family violence".

"Last year an Australian woman died every week as a result of family violence. This year alone, 69 women have already tragically lost their lives," Ms Thomas said.

"While family violence can happen to everyone, we know that women are the overwhelming victims of this violence and men are the perpetrators".

Ms Thomas said the aim of the "Say NO to family violence" campaign is to raise awareness about the gendered dimensions of family violence and to send a clear message that it will not be tolerated in our community.

"Through the work of our courageous Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, and the Royal Commission into Family Violence, women are starting to feeling empowered to stand up and speak out about this insidious problem".

"I want to support those women and their children and show them that our community is on their side," Ms Thomas said.

Ms Thomas is providing materials for organisations across the community to create a banner that declares their club, organisation or business "Says NO to family violence".

"We’ve written to more than 80 organisations across the Macedon Ranges but we welcome any club, school, community group or business to get involved".

"I encourage all groups in the community to show leadership and stand together with me on this important issue," Ms Thomas said.

A community forum will be held at Kyneton Secondary College on Friday 4 December bringing together local speakers and the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson, in an interactive panel discussion.

"There are multiple ways you can support this campaign: join the community Facebook page “Macedon Says NO to Family Violence", encourage your club, school or community organisation to create a banner and come along to our Family Violence Forum,” Ms Thomas said.

If your community group or business would like to be involved please call Lisa Ohlmus on 5428 2138 Background:

According to VicHealth, violence is the biggest cause of injury or death for women between 18 and 45. One in three Australian women will experience physical violence and one if five women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime. Research has repeatedly shown that violence crosses all boundaries and can happen to women from all social, economic, cultural backgrounds and family situations. The Andrews Government has established Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence to investigate ways to prevent family violence, improve early intervention, protect those at risk, support victims, make perpetrators accountable and better coordinate responses and shape appropriate attitudes towards women and children.

The Commission is due to table its recommendations to Parliament in February 2016.

With thanks the following organisations who are standing together to "Say NO to Family Violence" in our community:

Bendigo Bank Kyneton Rotary Club of Gisborne Brooke Street Medical Clinic Woodend Campaspe Family Practice Gisborne Medical Centre Gisborne Secondary College Gisborne SES Gisborne Uniting Church Kyneton CFA Kyneton Community & Learning Centre Kyneton Copy Centre Kyneton Football Netball Club Kyneton Men’s Shed Kyneton Police Station Kyneton RSL Kyneton Secondary College Kyneton Tennis Club Kyneton Toyota Lancefield CFA Lancefield Cricket Club Lancefield Football Netball Club Lancefield Police Station Lions Club of Kyneton Macedon CFA Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre Macedon Ranges Shire Council Neal Street Medical Clinic Gisborne Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House Riddells Creek CFA Romsey CFA Romsey Neighbourhood House Romsey Police Station Rotary Club of Kyneton Rotary Club of Woodend Sacred Heart College Kyneton St Andrews Uniting Church Kyneton St Andrews Uniting Church Woodend Romsey Cricket Club Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club Woodend Neighbourhood House Woodend RSL Gisborne Football Netball Club Gisborne Cricket Club Lancefield Neighbourhood House Woodend SES

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