The Central Coast has the second-highest number of domestic violence incidences in NSW* and is overrepresented in breaches of apprehended violence orders. Crimes of sexual assault are also on the increase.
Central Coast Council is once again working with community leaders, to raise awareness and educate the community to help end family and domestic abuse.
Each year, Central Coast Council supports a local campaign to help address the main challenges faced by our community.
Over 30 stakeholders from the local community and services sector were invited to a workshop to share their knowledge, skills, and experience of the issue.
This collaboration informed the messages for this years' 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign which has a focus on changing the behaviour of perpetrators.
The national campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December and Council has developed a range of education and awareness raising materials to bring the campaign to the community.
These include town centre banners and activations, installations, information posters, a digital exhibition of lived experiences and free resources that encourage people to learn the signs of abuse, to stop the cycle of abuse, and to seek support.
As part of the campaign, the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee has coordinated a Walk Against Domestic Violence and the community is encouraged to show support by joining.
Commencing at 10.00am on Wednesday 7 December 2022, supporters will meet at Coast Shelter (346 Mann Street, Gosford), before heading into Kibble Park to hear from speakers and visit stalls.
Kibble Park will also host an art installation commemorating the women who die every year as result of family and domestic violence in Australia.
Orange awareness-raising badges are available for FREE from Wyong Administration Building and Gosford Library.
Learn more with our education resources.
- Learn about healthy relationships with the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee Guidebook.
- Seek help at www.1800respect.org.au or phone 1800 737 732 (Interpreter: 13 14 50)
- Free help, referrals and counselling for men at MensLine Australia
- Learn more on Council's Domestic and Family Violence on web page.
*The Central Coast had the second-highest number in NSW of domestic violence Apprehended Violence Orders in figures (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research - BOCSAR) issued for the 12 months prior to June 2022.
