By ANEEKA SIMONIS
“I SWEAR never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”
That was the oath taken by around 100 men and woman as they stood united in their fight to end family violence at a White Ribbon breakfast in Pakenham yesterday.
Cardinia Shire mayor Leticia Wilmot opened the breakfast with a strong message that resounded throughout the morning.
“On average, one in three will be affected by family violence in their lifetime,” she said.
“This is not something that is happening in some other part of the world, far away from us.
“Family violence is happening in Cardinia Shire, which has among the highest incidences of family violence in Victoria and it is increasing at an alarming rate.”
Over the last 14 years, Cardinia Shire has experienced a 156 per cent increase in family violence callouts compared with metropolitan Melbourne at 146 per cent.
According to the council, the shire has the third highest reported incidence of family violence in the Southern Metro Region over the past two years with 45 per cent of the assault serious enough for charges to be laid.
Founder of Heavy METAL (Men’s Education Towards Anger and Life) and guest speaker David Nugent shared his 18-month transformation from an abusive husband and father to a self-aware man inspiring cultural change.
He said all men, even physically non-violent men such as himself, have a responsibility toward breaking down the culture which incites violence against women and children.
“I never thought I was a violent person … I never hit my wife … but I now know she used to walk on eggshells around me,” he said.
“It’s time we challenge cultural beliefs that have been passed down by previous generations and feel more confident to stand up to people who make sexist comments or jokes.
“Women and children are not responsible. Men are responsible for what they do and don’t do.”
Minister for Crime Prevention Edward O’Donohue agreed.
“Domestic violence is unacceptable in any form in any place. It’s our problem, it’s everyone’s problem,” he said.
The awareness presentation finished with a workshop which saw guests from across the shire share their ideas about preventing family violence and how they plan to spread the message.
Guests including a member from the region’s Challenge Family Violence program said anti-violence messages need to be spread throughout all faith networks to incite a community-wide change.
