THE Dandenong region has one of the highest family violence rates in Victoria.
So Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams is joining the 16-day Victoria Against Violence campaign.
It starts on 25 November and will engage and educate people about the links between family violence and gender inequality.
“One in three Australian women experience physical or sexual assault from a male in their lifetime,” Ms Williams said.
“Locally we face a significant challenge, with Dandenong having one of the highest rates of family violence in Victoria.
“Dandenong is the most multicultural area in Victoria and this diversity brings with it different attitudes and understandings of the role of women and of dynamics within the family unit.
“As a community we must stand up and send a clear message that family violence is not acceptable.
“Achieving greater awareness and understanding of this issue is an important step towards making meaningful change.”
The Victoria Against Violence campaign coincides with the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign, which starts on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on International Human Rights Day, 10 December.
Parliament House and other landmarks will go orange as part of the campaign, the colour designated by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign.
Ms Williams urged Dandenong residents and community groups to visit the Victoria Against Violence online calendar and to be a part of events across the state.
