The City of Stonnington remains firmly committed to working with key stakeholders to address gender-based violence affecting the Stonnington community.
City of Stonnington CEO, Mr Dale Dickson PSM, said Stonnington was deeply concerned by the reports of violence against women in recent media, and called on government and agencies to work with local communities to take practical and immediate steps.
"In response to the initiatives announced by the National Cabinet on May 1, Stonnington strongly supports the call for more uniformity and greater collaboration among all levels of government toward a shared mission to end gender-based violence," he said.
"We also recognise that the prevention of violence is a shared responsibility and we continue to actively explore opportunities to work more closely with local agencies to deliver on initiatives that make a difference."
Stonnington's Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 includes Respectful and Safe as a key priority with a focus on preventing all forms of violence, including violence against women and children.
Mr Dickson said that no city was immune to gender-based and family violence, with Stonnington having the third highest rates of family violence cases, compared to its neighbouring six local government areas.
"We know that there are many vulnerable people living within our community who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, gender-based violence. Our frontline services, such as the Maternal and Child Health Service, work directly with vulnerable families and can support victim-survivors to access specialist services" he said.
"Council also delivers community information sessions, capacity building workshops and actively takes part in the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign."
Mr Dickson also said Council was committed as an organisation to the safety of its staff and was taking measures through its Gender Equality Action Plan to promote gender equality and prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace and support any staff experiencing family violence through special leave provisions and counselling services.
"We will continue to actively build on our capacity to support our staff and seek to address the primary causes of violence against women," he said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or afraid of violence against women and families, contact Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. If in immediate danger call 000 and ask for the Police.
