Greater Dandenong Council is continuing its fight to put an end to family violence and break the cycle.
Now in its seventh year council hosted its annual ‘Walk Against Family Violence’ as part of White Ribbon Week on Tuesday, 19 November.
Hundreds of people joined the walk from Dandenong Market to Harmony Square at Dandenong Civic Centre in support of ending violence against women and children.
This event included a performance from the With One Voice Choir, and speeches by Carrum MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education Sonya Kilkenny, and family violence survivor Susan Berg.
Member for Narre Warren South MP Gary also joined supporters on the day which aimed to further change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate the cycle of family violence, and to promote respect and equality for women and children.
Greater Dandenong Council chief executive officer John Bennie said the event continued to go from strength to strength each year.
“To see our community come together in this way in opposing family violence sends a powerful message,” he said.
“The issue of family violence is one that can affect anyone in our community. It does not discriminate. No matter where you live, where you work, how much money you have family violence affects everyone.”
Mr Bennie said the recent decision by White Ribbon Australia to close its doors makes this year’s event even more poignant.
“As a council we are incredibly passionate about continuing the advocacy work of White Ribbon in preventing family violence and promoting equality and respect towards women,” he said.
The Victorian State Budget 2019-20 builds on the previous $2.7 billion investment, including $3.1 million to continue to strengthen the family violence workforce and $20.9 million to ensure that survivors of family violence and sexual assault have the support they need to rebuild their lives.
The Budget also delivered $23.9 million to better meet the needs of survivors in emergency accommodation and $28.7 million for family violence support services for Indigenous Australia.
The State Government is implementing all 227 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence, as it is dedicated to ending family violence.
Mr Maas said ending family violence was the community’s “collective responsibility.”
“It’s up to us to build a culture that not only has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of violence, but also believes and supports survivors,” he said.
