THE Balranald Shire community has the chance to say no to violence on Friday.
The Strengthening Community Access, Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisory Committee (SCAIWAC) of Balranald Shire Council aims to end to violence against women and children.
The committee is encouraging community members and businesses to show their support for ending the violence by flying a white balloon at their home or business on Friday.
“Violence against women is at epidemic proportions,” SCAIWAC chairperson Rachael Williams said.
“Devastatingly, on average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of intimate partner violence.
“Murder is at the pointy end of a broad spectrum of violence against women. But violence also includes financial, verbal, emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse, as well as workplace harassment.
“They all form part of a devastating cycle of violence.”
Ms Williams said the women whose lives were lost were “wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends and colleagues”.
“Most importantly, they are people, and the impact of the violence is widespread and longstanding.”
Ms Williams said violence against women was never a private issue.
She said SCAIWAC would hold the Friday event to help break the silence around violence “because everyone is part of the solution”.
“We want people to know that violence against women is unacceptable, it is never the victim’s fault, help is available and if you see something, you should say something,” Ms Williams said.
The event is supported by the Balranald branch of Maari Ma Health, Vinnie’s Balranald and Balranald Shire Council.
To support the cause, property owners and businesses can fly the white balloons dropped off at letterboxes this week, print resources from the White Ribbon website, post a picture with the hashtag #BSCSayNoToViolence, or make a tax-deductible donation to White Ribbon Australia at https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/Get-Involved/Community-Response-Fund
What is SCAIWAC?
SCAIWAC is committed to increasing the access, inclusion and wellbeing of all residents across Balranald Shire communities. Members work to end to all violence against women and children and have committed to:
– Raising awareness about all forms of violence against women and children and the need to end it.
– Understanding family violence support services, working with these services to extend their reach and advocating change where there might be service or support gaps.
– Ensuring victims of violence understand how they will be supported in their journey to leave violence.
Women who are experiencing violence, or who know someone who is, can seek support in several ways:
– Call 000 or go to the emergency department at the local hospital.
– Call Mallee Domestic Violence Service, Swan Hill, 5033 1899
– Call Robinvale District Health Service, 5051 8160
– Call Balranald Multipurpose Service, 5071 9800
– Call Maari Ma Health, Balranald, 5020 0009
– Call Vinnie’s, 0458 630 877
– Call Robinvale Network House, 5026 4128
– Call 1800 RESPECT
