Northern Grampians Shire Council is proud to support Respect Victoria to deliver its Respect Women: 'Call It Out' campaign. The campaign is part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
The council is working in partnership with local artists, community service providers, and other groups to deliver a campaign over the 16 days to raise awareness and educate the community on respect and violence prevention.
The theme of this year's campaign is 'Respect Is…' and messages of equality and respect will be highlighted across the shire and the state.
In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, instead of the community Walk Against Violence which would normally take place on 25 November, an interactive art piece will be available for the community to interact with at Shop 108 in the main street of Stawell.
Pedestrians can add a handprint to the artwork on Wednesday 25 November from 2pm to 4pm, on Thursday 26 November from 10am to 12pm and on Friday 27 November from 9am to 11am.
The artwork will then be displayed in Shop 108 the following week. Businesses can also expect a resource pack from council to assist them in recognising and minimising violence in the workplace.
Northern Grampians Libraries will also be hosting a respectful storytime with a focus on equality and respect aimed at younger generations.
Council encourages everyone to interact with the piece in a COVID-safe way and share their messages standing against violence with the hashtag #NGSC16days.
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, said this is a time to actively promote gender equality and take a stand to end men's violence against women.
"We are running a number of programs/initiatives to support the campaign including interactive art displays, information sharing ad promotion of community services, and taking a stand as community leaders against all violence in our communities," he said.
Statistics show that one in four women have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of fifteen (compared to one in thirteen men).
"We are working closely with our networks such as women's health services, family violence networks, libraries and local businesses to spread this important message and prevent family violence," Cr Emerson said.
All 79 Victorian councils as well as 18 specialist non-government organisations are involved in the state-wide Respect Women: 'Call It Out' campaign. The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) and Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) are also partnering with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to provide their expertise.
