WIMMERA councils have called on businesses to step up and lead the community with the message that family violence is unacceptable.
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The state government has named Horsham Rural City Council as one of ten Victorian councils to share in $345,000 to launch family violence prevention programs.
The funding will help Horsham council launch an Act@Work program in partnership with Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera shires.
Yarriambiack chief executive and White Ribbon ambassador Ray Campling said the program focused on educating staff about respect, trust and discrimination as the building blocks to preventing family violence. He said as community leaders, councils and businesses set an example to the region and should be taking a stand to prevent family violence.
“I’d encourage all businesses to seek opportunities with the programs,” he said.
“It’s fabulous – as community leaders council sets an example and standard and at the end of the day, says violence against women and children, along with discrimination in workplaces, is unacceptable.
“The prevalence of crime against women and children has definitely escalated in recent years – it’s a crime previously swept under the carpet.
“In the past few years, to the credit of agencies and the government, domestic violence is being taken seriously and considered unacceptable.”
Mr Campling said Yarriambiack councillors were involved in the Act@Work program, and staff across the shires would now be involved.
Horsham Rural City chief executive Peter Brown said the Act@Work program was important for the Wimmera.
“The four councils are each major employers in the area and if we influence the attitudes and behaviours of our staff I think that’s really important in addressing problems,” he said.
“People are realising this is not something we can turn a blind eye to or treat as just a family issue – really it’s a criminal issue and must be dealt with by all of society.”
If you would like to know more about support services available for family and domestic violence, contact the 1800 Respect national helpline on 1800 737 732 or the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491. Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811. Lifeline (24 hour crisis line).