People are being urged to step up and speak out against domestic violence, as Central Coast Council joins a 16-day global campaign to help end domestic violence in our community.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence kicks off on Friday, November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Thursday, December 10, Human Rights Day.
Council is running a series of educational campaigns and events throughout the 16 Days of Activism and beyond, to make it clear that domestic violence is never acceptable.
Director, Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said it was a real and serious issue impacting the Coast.
“Statistics show that the Central Coast had the second highest number of domestic violence Apprehended Violence Orders in NSW for the 12 months prior to June 2020,” she said.
“We need powerful statements and actions if we are going to change the Coast’s statistics and make our communities safe for women to lead the lives that they and their children deserve.
“Council has been working with key partners and respected experts to help educate and raise awareness about this issue.”
A public exhibition using pop-up lightboxes will be held at The Entrance foreshore from December 2 to 10, with the aim of shining a spotlight on domestic violence.
It is a critical educational tool to help family and friends identify the signs of abuse and the role that they can play in stopping it.
Council supports the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee in their walk against domestic violence.
This year the event will be virtual and people are being asked to commit to doing their own walk and post a photo to Step Up Against Domestic Violence and share why it is never okay.
On Thursday, December 3, libraries will host a special online discussion with investigative journalist, Jess Hill, about her critically acclaimed and award winning book, See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control and Domestic Abuse.
Following the success of the 2019 project, Council is relaunching its Positive Relationships campaign in 2020, designed to educate young people about prevention through respectful relationships that encourage social and generational change.
Also, Council is partnering with the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and Liquor Accord to send a strong message about domestic violence with display of the slogan, Domestic Abuse: It is Your Business, on bottle shop brown bags and hand sanitisers.
Domestic violence awareness billboards will be placed at the corner of South St and Wyong Rd, Killarney Vale, and in Gosford from Friday, November 25.
Source:
Media release, Nov 19
Central Coast Council