Eden’s Campbell Page in association with the Community Capacity Builders Program hosted a White Ribbon Stall on Imlay St today, as part of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women initiative.
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Bega Valley residents are joining the international campaign to help make their communities safer for women and children, with a variety of local events occurring between November 25 and December 10.
Campbell Page’s CCB Project Officer Elizabeth Huggett and Campbell Page’s Eden Youth Worker Timika Michelin welcomed passer-bys to their stall on the steps of Hotel Australasia, with white crosses the most eye-catching.
“They symbolise children killed each year by domestic violence,” Ms Huggett said somberly.
“As we always say, the parents are the perpetrators but the children are the ones affected.”
One in four Australian women will experience domestic and family violence at some stage of their life, and more than one third of all domestic violence incidents reported to the DOC’s Domestic Violence Line are witnessed by children.
“The number of Eden incidents of domestic violence is high,” Ms Huggett said.
“Any relationship will have ups and downs, but there is a time to fight and there is a time not to fight. More people have to take responsibility for their anger management.
“The ones being hurt the most are the innocent children, caught in the middle of the fights. And that leads to long-term problems like social dysfunction and drug abuse.”
Ms Huggett said it’s important to “speak out and get help” either as a victim or witness of domestic violence.
The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest global male-led movement to stop men’s violence against women, asking community members to ‘swear the oath’ of allegiance against domestic and family violence (www.whiteribbon.org.au).
Ms Huggett said White Ribbon Australia wants all women to live in safety, free from violence and abuse.
“Through education, awareness-raising and creative campaigns, preventative programs and partnerships, we highlight the positive role men play in preventing men’s violence against women and support them to be part of this social change,” Ms Huggett said.
Ms Huggett urges victims or witnesses of domestic violence to call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on: 1800 737 732.
Campbell Page are also contactable on: 64 972900.
