Mitchell Shire takes a stance

By Bianca Hall

Nov 22, 2022

500 stars campaign: The stars are hand weaved as an activity that promotes discussion around the prevention of gender-based violence.

Mitchell Shire Council will host a range of activities to highlight the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

The 16 days begin on Friday, November 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, and end on Saturday, December 10, which is Human Rights Day.

Mitchell Shire has significantly high family violence rates, ranked number 11 out of 79 Victorian councils for family violence incidents.

Recent data has also shown high levels of younger people being affected.

The 2022 campaign theme, led by Respect Victoria, Safe and Equal and Safe Steps, is ‘Respect Women: Call it Out’ (Respect Is).

This is a positive message that aims to support Victorian communities to engage in conversations about ‘respect’: what respect means, what respect looks like and respect as the building block of all healthy relationships.

There is no single cause of violence against women, but current evidence, outlined in Change the Story: A Shared Framework for the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women and Their Children in Australia, demonstrates higher levels of violence against women are consistently associated with lower levels of gender equality in both public life and personal relationships.

This year, Mitchell Shire Council and more than 15 partner agencies, community groups and schools have organised a range of activities, workshops and opportunities to support respectful relationships and act collectively to take a stance.

500 Stars

Community members are encouraged to come to the launch of the 500 Stars for Mitchell campaign. The Mitchell community, organisations and schools have been weaving paper stars to create a visual display.

Each star represents a show of support and effort to raise awareness for prevention of family and gender-based violence in Mitchell Shire.

The launch is on Tuesday, December 6, from 2pm to 3.30pm at the Broadford Living and Learning Centre and free afternoon tea will be provided. The display will be open until Wednesday, December 23.

A conversation starter: Students place stars on the wall at the Wallan Youth Room.

Speak Up event

A Speak Up event will also be held to raise awareness about impacts of violence against women and supporting respectful relationships. The event is a partnership between the Northern Legal Community Centre and Mitchell Shire Council.

There will be a free dinner and activities including t-shirt and flowerpot painting.

T-shirt painting will contribute to the global Clothesline Project initiative, which has been running for 25 years. The project uses a visual display of t-shirts on clotheslines to raise awareness about family violence.

The Speak Up event is on Wednesday, November 30, from 4.30pm to 6pm at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, the following services are available:

• The Orange Door: 1800 634 245 or www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au

• Safe Steps (24/7 Family Violence Response Line): 1800 015 188

• 1800 RESPECT (24/7 sexual assault, domestic and family violence

counselling service): 1800 737 732

• Nexus Primary Health: 1300 773 352

• Men’s Referral Service: (24/7 professional support and information

service for Australian men): 1300 466 491

• Seniors Rights Victoria: 1300 368 821

• The Bridge Youth Service: Seymour (03) 5799 1298 or Wallan (03) 5799

1298