From the launch of Cardinia Shire Council’s Together We Can initiative, campaign ambassador DR JOY LOUISA DOHERTY, Chairperson of Communities That Care, says that wearing a simple badge can be a huge statement against family violence.
OVER Thursday 28 April and Friday 29 April, Cardinia Shire Council, in conjunction with Family Life, held two days of presentations, speakers and conferencing between Cardinia residents, providers of family services and academic representatives.
The focus was on family violence in the shire of Cardinia and the alarming statistics of its prevalence throughout the shire community.
The main purpose of the gathering was to begin implementing a collective impact (a structured approach that includes everyone) to finding local solutions to work towards changing, in a significant and lasting way, those statistics of family violence in our shire: that Cardinia Shire has the second highest reported rate of incidence of family violence in the Southern Metro Region; on average this equates to approximately 25 incidents or three to four families per day; and, in 2013/14 children were present at 41 per cent of family incidents within Cardinia shire.
I know many people already know these statistics, but they are worth repeating because they are shameful statistics for our community to have.
We need to work together to turn this around.
At the session on Thursday evening, a mixed group of community members began a very good conversation about family violence here in Cardinia shire and the reasons behind it, for example, cultural behaviour.
It was clearly stated by those present that everyone in this community has the right to be safe, respected and listened to. That violence is not OK.
From that gathering came a guiding statement: “I have the human right to live in a safe and healthy family environment in Cardinia shire. I am ashamed of the violence and I will act now to play my part to end family violence”.
I came away from that evening session thinking “OK, there are organisations involved here that deal with family violence and the shire council is involved, but is it going to work?”
I thought the words ‘Together We Can’ part of the slogan: Together We Can: Act Now to End Family Violence in Cardinia Shire is the important bit – that means the residents, the members of this whole community have a key and vital part to play to bring about the changes we need.
On the Friday, there were several presentations and much discussion but what wasn’t clearly dealt with was what residents can do.
I knew that a communications sub-committee had been set up on the Friday afternoon but I didn’t have time to put my hand up to join that full time.
I know some towns, areas, communities have worked together on all levels, for example, to reduce the intake of sugary drinks by their young people.
Other towns have worked together to lose weight and become a more healthy, happier community.
So whole communities have proved that they can work together to set common goals and achieve results. What does that mean to you and me?
I’m a resident – what simple, effective thing can I do and, more importantly, where do I start? So how does the ‘Together’ play out?
“I have the human right to live in a safe and healthy family environment in Cardinia Shire”
On the Friday, I had walked out with a badge that said: ‘Stop Family Violence’ and started to think that I could start wearing the badge wherever I go in Cardinia.
The simplest way to start talking and spreading the message would be to wear it.
We all need badges and start talking about family violence in Cardinia shire waiting at bus stops, buying a paper in the newsagency, having our hair cut, standing in the line at the bank, at the Coles checkout.
“We need to work out why it happens in our community, our homes, and what community members can and will do about family violence here.
I would like to see a further forum with residents to talk about this and bring ideas and strategies to the table.
This is not just up to the Shire Council, Family First or any other agency or organisation to fix, to introduce programs in school – yes, that is all needed – but we need to work out why family violence happens here and what we can do about it from a grassroots level.
This community can work wonderfully together. There are already great events that bring the community together.
We now need to tackle some of the tough issues not only enjoy the social events.
When hearing the stories of some of the victims of family violence their lack of hope and helplessness is clear to see and feel.
For a human being to be so worn down in our community is shameful, no matter what cultural background that person comes from or what clubs, groups they belong to.
As members of this community we all need to talk, work together to set up simple strategies focused on eradicating family violence in Cardinia shire.
“I am ashamed of the violence and I will act now to play my part to end family violence”
Family violence in this community is definitely not OK.
The words The Together We Can offer hope for results and also shows us how it can be done.
Through collective impact we can achieve lasting significant change.
Wearing a badge is a simple way of communicating the message and start conversations.
Together We Can are words of hope, it is a powerful message.
The words Stop Family Violence leave no doubt as to what we can achieve if we work together.
Together We Can – make a difference.
We all not only have the basic right to be safe but to be safe and get the most out of life.
Our children are born with this basic right and deserve the best opportunities we can give them in this shire to grow up in a safe environment.
So, if you have a badge, please wear it.
Together we can have a huge impact on the statistics of family violence in this shire and more of our children will have a better chance of growing up as happier, successful members of the community.
