Central Coast Council is once again working with community leaders to initiate important conversations around domestic and family violence during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign.
The campaign runs every year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), raising awareness and educating the community on the important issue.
The Central Coast consistently has one of the highest number of incidences of family and domestic violence compared to any other local government area.
Statistics show the Central Coast had the third-highest number of domestic violence related incidences in NSW from June 2022-June 2023, with the area also consistently over-represented in statistics for Breach of Apprehended Violence Orders.
Director Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said Council was committed to working with the community to solve a range of social and health issues that impacted vulnerable people, such as victims of domestic violence.
“The health and safety of others is everyone’s business,” she said.
“Domestic abuse is not just a private matter and its impacts are felt across all levels of the community.
“Domestic and family violence is one of the largest threats to the safety of our communities.
“Prevention initiatives are proven to help stop the violence before it starts.
“We have been working with the community, local leaders and organisations to develop a range of programs, projects and activities in support of the national campaign to help strengthen our community.”
Throughout the 16-day campaign a number of activities have been organised to create awareness, including Council’s annual support of the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee’s Walk Against Domestic Violence.
Starting at 10am on Wednesday, December 6, the event encourages supporters to wear an orange shirt for the walk beginning at Gosford Anglican Church, 7 Mann St, and finishing in Kibble Park Gosford.
An event in Kibble Park will showcase guest speakers, live entertainment, information stalls and more.
Visitors to Kibble Park will see art installations during the campaign such as houses suspended in trees representing that a home should be a safe place and a Zonta Tree Yarn Bombing highlighting all the different forms of domestic violence and the support available for victims and bystanders.
Council is also developing a children’s story book which aims to promote age-appropriate messages to preschoolers about healthy relationships.
The book will be launched in May 2024 as part of Domestic Violence Month, and a special preview of pages will be on show in Kibble Park.
Council Administrator Rik Hart encouraged the community to get behind the campaign.
“We must all speak up against family and domestic violence and encourage others to break the cycle in order to make the Central Coast a safe place for everyone,” he said.
“We can all play a role in stopping violence by taking action if we see or suspect any form of abuse.
“It can be as simple as providing contact numbers, educational material or when someone’s safety is at risk, reporting it to the police.”
Find out more on the community events by visiting centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/16days or find out what help is available in the community by searching ‘family violence’ on Council’s website.