Council supports campaign to prevent gender-based violence

Published on 01 November 2024

Murrindindi Shire Council is proud to again support the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign as part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safer and more respectful community.

This year’s campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women and girls. This annual international campaign kicks off on Monday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Human Rights Day on Tuesday 10 December.

Anyone can experience or commit violence. However, the data tells us that women are overwhelmingly the victims of family or intimate partner violence and face a much higher risk of being killed by a current or former partner than men. All experiences of violence are unique and valid, and we respectfully acknowledge this.

In Murrindindi Shire, Council is partnering with and supporting local community groups and businesses, to engage with this important campaign. To support the 16 Days of Activism campaign, community members are encouraged to get involved in the following local events:

• Latte with a Lawyer: Enjoy a free hot drink and chat with lawyers from ARC Justice's Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre on Wednesday 27 November, from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm at the Grant Street Grocer in Alexandra
• Call It In!: A free workshop for men to talk about mental health on Saturday 30 November, from 9.30 - 11.30 am at the Embassy of Ideas in Alexandra
• Mitchell Shire Council Steps Towards Change Walk: Thursday 5 December, from 10.00 am at Hadfield Park in Wallan.

This year, with funding from Safe + Equal, Council has offered to gift three new books from the Respect Victoria book list to all our Early Childhood services, Primary and Secondary Schools. This is one way we hope to recognise the importance of educating future generations on the fundamental right to feel safe and respected.

If you would like to attend an event, organise your own, partner with Council, engage in the campaign, or find helpful resources and support services, please click on the links below or contact Council by calling (03) 5772 0333 or emailing communitydevelopment@murrindindi.vic.gov.au

Murrindindi Shire Council’s CEO Livia Bonazzi said “More than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every week. The situation has worsened in recent years, with 75 women killed in the 2022-2023 financial year. Safety for women is not a given in any community - and neither is respect.”

“I am heartened by our local community’s commitment to driving meaningful change. I encourage everyone to engage in the events, organise their own initiatives, or explore the valuable resources available. Together we can foster communities rooted in kindness and respect, paving the way for a safer and more equitable future for all.”

Wondering how to actively engage in the 16 Days of Activism campaign?

• Read to your children, or choose a book for yourself, from the Respect Victoria book recommendation list
• Include a 16 Days of Activism banner to your email signature during the campaign
• Register to request a free copy of Council’s Free From Violence Activity Cards
• Download or request a copy of Council’s Community Resource Guide to Family Violence
• Sign up to receive newsletters or updates from Respect Victoria, Safe + Equal or IWDA
• Listen to a podcast: There’s No Place Like Home, hosted by Tarang Chawla
• Educate yourself on how to respond when someone tells you they’ve experienced violence
• Listen to the women in your life without judgement or defensiveness