Region unites to spread message
Grampians Community Health is calling for an end to the ‘horrific reality’ of violence against women.
The organisation made the declaration as part of its in-depth involvement with the White Ribbon movement.
It made the statement based on national research organisation figures that showed one woman a week died at the hands of their intimate partner.
Grampians Community Health was involved in White Ribbon Day events across the region last week.
Grampians Community Health violence support worker Daniel Bell said he acknowledged the efforts of women to bring about change.
“Being a man, a father, a brother, a son and a White Ribbon ambassador, I recognise that the movement to prevent men’s violence against women was built on the tireless efforts of women and women-led organisations throughout history,” he said.
Grampians Community Health, an accredited White Ribbon organisation, acknowledged men were also victims of family violence.
But figures clearly showed women were more likely than men to experience violence by an intimate partner, more likely to experience physical assault in their home and more likely to be killed by an intimate partner.
Group chief executive Greg Little said the statistics were the sad reality of men’s violence against women, and that it was men’s responsibility to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.
“Men standing side by side with each other and with women can change the way our society has empowered men over women,” he said.
“We must make a change in our communities, in our workplaces, in our homes and work to shape the attitudes and behaviours of other men.”
Mr Little said wearing white and walking together on the streets was an opportunity to reflect on past choices, actions and mistakes – the good and the bad.
“Sometimes it is not easy, it is painful, but we need to realise that without appreciating the bad you cannot ever truly appreciate the good, you can never truly understand how your actions have impacted others without reflecting on your behaviour and learning to empathise with those who you might have hurt,” he said.
Mr Bell said men had a crucial role to play in stemming violence against women.
“Although it can be difficult, sometimes we can challenge other men’s attitudes, be a role model and take action, and not be silent when we are aware of negative behaviours towards women,” he said.
Grampians Community Health members were among participants in White Ribbon marches in Ararat, Horsham and Stawell.
Mr Little said anyone wanting or needing access to Grampians Community Health services could call 5358 7400.
16 Days of Activism
White Ribbon Day also helped launch a worldwide United Nations ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign to end family violence.
Wimmera Health Care Group has signed up for the campaign, which also included International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Sunday and ends with Human Rights Day on December 10.
Health group people and culture director Sue Powell said the service was partnering with other regional health organisations and councils to raise awareness and educate people on the issue of family violence.
“We are joining this initiative as part of the State Government’s Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence program,” she said.
“During the 16 days we will have a range of educational sessions for team members about family violence.”
Ms Powell said the health service, which also joined a march in Horsham, would have a large painted orange tree in the main reception area at Dimboola and Horsham campuses with stickers for people to write their name and place as leaves on the tree.
“The stickers have ‘says no’ on them and represent us building a community of people who will not tolerate family violence,” she said.
“We invite team and community members to place a leaf sticker on the tree and help us send a strong message against family violence.”