Role model father

Brett Owen uses all of his roles in the community to influence change in the family violence arena. 147306 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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By ANEEKA SIMONIS

Brett Owen is many things in our community – a police officer, councillor, husband and father. He talks on what he believes are his most important roles and how others can challenge the “evil” culture supporting family violence behaviour in the community.

 

BRETT Owen plays many important roles in the community – but none more important than his role at home as a father.
Dad to Max, 4, and Will, 2, the Cardinia Shire councillor and senior police officer said he woke up every day with the intention to be the best person he could be for the sake of his sons.
The single most important lesson he wants to hand down to his boys is the value of respect and gender equality.
He has witnessed the devastating impacts discrimination and gendered violence has on the community, and refuses to let any of those themes form part of his sons’ worldview.
“I consider my role as a parent to be the most important one that I have ever had, and if I get nothing else right in my life, I want to instil these qualities in my children,” Brett said.
“I was taught to be respectful to others, and this is what I hope to teach my children.”
From explicit lessons in fairness between little boys and little girls to shouldering the responsibilities in the household with his wife Jackie, the family man’s every action is considered in order to create positive impressions on his sons who will form the next generation.
“Parenting has opened my eyes to the importance of breaking down gender stereotypes. I want to ensure that we teach our boys the importance of gender equality both at home and in the workplace,” he said.
Perceptions of gender inequality manifest themselves in many different ways – and for Brett, a Leading Senior Constable with almost 20 years’ experience in the force – he is all too familiar with some of the more tragic outcomes involving domestic violence.
Worryingly, children are increasingly present or victim to violence in the home.
Police figures indicate that children were present at more than 40 per cent of family violence incidents reported to police in the Cardinia Shire area in 2013/’14.
Often, child victims go on to lead a life of violence themselves.
Brett will not have that for his sons, and hopes that the same attitude is passed down to more children as they grow into adulthood.
“When children are raised in households where family violence is perpetrated they can suffer significant trauma both long and short term,” he said.
“In my previous youth role with Victoria Police, I had to deal with many traumatised and troubled young people who unfortunately had been victims of family violence and were heading down a criminal lifestyle. This can be a difficult cycle to break that can impact on children’s lives forever.
“Children mirror and learn behaviour of family violence. It is often cyclical. It is important that we teach and promote non-violent behaviour towards women.”
Brett said the cycle of family violence had its hallmarks, drawing on observations he had made after years of attending “some of the saddest and most frustrating incidents” during his time as a serving police officer.
“The culture of alcohol use and abuse plays a role in many family violence incidents … as does the cycle of continued victimisation. Once someone becomes a victim multiple times, the cycle of abuse becomes much more difficult to break especially when victims are not supported,” he said.
But those behaviours could all stop, or at least minimise, if perceptions and behaviours around gender inequality were broken down, according to Brett.
“It is crucial that children are educated about appropriate behaviour towards others and are also supported if they are victims.”
In his line of work with Victoria Police, Brett is in a position to help incite positive change.
‘Small wins’ along the way during his policing career remind him violence can be unlearnt.
“I was contacted by a school welfare officer regarding a matter in which a 14-year-old student had assaulted his mother,” he said.
“I investigated the assault, made relevant risk assessments and appropriate referrals. The young male was interviewed and cautioned for the assault against his mother.
“A few months later, I was contacted by the mother who stated that there were no further incidents of family violence and that young person’s violent behaviour had improved.”
As the Cardinia Shire’s longest serving current councillor with 10 years representing the Ranges Ward, Brett has a lot to show for his political career.
True to his word, Brett showed he lived and breathed the value of gender equality in 2012 during an important campaign in support of women in power.
“Between 2008 -2012, Cardinia Shire had an all-male council,” he said.
“This was clearly not representative of our population.
“I was a strong advocate of promoting women to stand for the local government elections in 2012.
“As a result of a strong campaign for change, four out of nine councillors elected, were female.
History was also made again weeks ago with the first female mayor and deputy mayor elected to council.
“I am proud to be part of a council that took this progressive step,” Brett said of fellow councillor Jodie Owen’s move to take on the position of mayor for 2015/’16.
Earlier this year, Cardinia Shire Council released a statement which named family violence prevention as its number one priority.
Council CEO Gary McQuillan said change might not be easy, it might not come fast – but breaking down the culture supporting violence against women and children was something they were actively striving toward.
“We will address this by facing the tough issues and causes, taking a preventative approach to building gender equity and resilience and modelling and encouraging behaviours that promote safety for women and children,” he wrote in the June statement.
A number of council-initiated programs are soon due to be rolled out to reduce family violence rates in Cardinia Shire.
It comes after the area recorded the worst five-year rise in domestic violence reports across the city’s south-east.
Between July 2014 and June 2015, police received 1319 reports of family violence, up 12 per cent on the incidents recorded in the previous 12-month period.
But as governments and policing agencies all rally together to end the devastating cycle of violence, Brett believes everyday people are the most influential position to fight off the “evil” of gendered violence.
“Men must challenge other men’s unacceptable behaviour, to stop violence against women. Males can influence other men to stand up against sexist comments and attitudes,” he said.
Brett also acts as a Challenge Family Violence Community leader working to incite change among men in the community.