Zoe Moffatt
Throughout the country thousands of women have gathered to protest family and gender-based violence, amid heartbreaking stories and shocking new statistics.
In Hume, this nation-wide issue was recognised at a council meeting on April 29, with a notice of motion to express council’s concern and to call on the state government to provide sustainable funding to the response sector.
Councillors voted to write a letter to Premier Jacinta Allan, expressing council’s concern regarding the persistence of family violence rates and ongoing commitment to prevent family and gender-based violence through the delivery of coordinated action.
Councillor Jack Medcraft said this is a serious situation and too many women have been murdered in the community.
“Violence against women is not accepted and needs the appropriate bodies, such as [the] government and our legal profession, to acknowledge the seriousness of this crime,” he said.
“Governments need to not cut funding, they need to increase funding to assist the agencies that support these people. Violence is not just physical attacks, violence is also psychological attacks.”
Cr Medcraft said he would also like to see a register, where people could look up if someone has any convictions for assault or worse.
“I think we need to get a grip on this. I’m glad to see the rallies that were put on the other day, because it showed that people have had enough.
“They’re the sort of demonstrations I think are worthwhile.”
Cr Carly Moore said it’s time to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence against women.
“This includes respecting women at all times, in the home, in social settings, in the workplace, even here in the chamber,” she said.
“This isn’t just a women’s issue, this is a human rights issue… we must break the silence and speak out against all forms of violence, whether physical, emotional or physiological.
“We must stand together as a community, united in our commitment to ending this epidemic once and for all.
“Our mothers, our daughters, our sisters and our friends deserve better. They deserve to be safe, and as a nation we must do better.”
