#16DaysOfActivism
It was a sea of orange in Seymour on Wednesday as about 150 people participated in the second-ever Mitchell Community Walk Against Gender-based Violence.
The walk, hosted by Mitchell Shire Council, formed part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which on a local level is led by a collaborative group of health, community and education services.
From November 25 to December 10, the 16 Days campaign aims to highlight the disproportionate impact of violence on women and girls and calls on communities to take part in conversations and activities toward eradicating gender-based violence.
While the weather was dreary on Wednesday, spirits remained high as Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister addressed the crowd prior to the commencement of the walk from GOTAFE Loco Street campus to Goulburn Park.
“My heart is filled with a profound sense of purpose and commitment as we come together to confront an issue that demands not just our attention but our collective action,” Cr Bannister said.
“Today’s walk is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a resounding statement that, as a community, we categorically reject and will not tolerate violence in any form.
“This event is a call to action, an opportunity to elevate awareness and foster open conversations around family violence.”
Cr Bannister acknowledged the shire’s family violence statistics, calling them ‘concerning’.
The Crime Statistics Agency reported an increase in family incidents in 2022-23 compared to the previous financial year.
In the year ending in June, 1091 family incidents were reported in the Mitchell Shire, with females being the affected family member in 72 per cent of cases.
“Each step we take today propels us forward on the path toward universal respect and unwavering support for women and girls,” Cr Bannister said.
Cr Bannister praised survivor of gender-based violence Angela Barker for sharing her story at the event.
“Your bravery will be entirely remembered,” she said.
Umbrellas were up and rain jackets were on for the 20-minute walk to Goulburn Park, the second of its kind since the first instalment in Kilmore in 2019.
The walk ended with a barbecue and stalls hosted by partnering organisations.
Cr Bannister said the walk illustrated the shire’s ‘unwavering dedication to creating positive change’.
“To those currently trapped in situations of violence or abuse, please know that you are not alone. We as a community are here for you today, tomorrow and forever,” she said.
Council projects
Cr Bannister used the event to announce two council projects targeted at addressing family violence.
A Community Resource Guide to Family Violence, a collaboration between the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shire Councils, has been developed alongside numerous organisations and victim-survivors.
Now available, the guide provides information on local support services, understanding and identifying the signs of abuse and respectfully responding to family members.
The guide is also available on the Mitchell and Murrindindi councils’ websites, as well as at customer service centres, libraries and at community and support centres.
“It serves as a valuable tool for community members who may be experiencing or assisting someone in the throes of family violence,” Cr Bannister said.
The mayor also announced the launch of the final version of council’s Gender Impact Assessment app, which is yet to be released.
“The app is the first of its kind in local government and can be used on mobile phones, tablets and computers to provide an efficient way to collect and analyse gender-specific data,” Cr Bannister said.
The app’s data is to be used by organisations in their development of policies, programs and services.
She said 25 per cent of Victorian councils had requested to receive a copy of the app, along with the Royal Women’s Hospital, which was one of seven health organisations set to receive the app.