More than nine out of ten staff1 at a western Melbourne Council think local government has a role to play in preventing violence against women, a new survey shows.
The survey conducted by Maribyrnong Council is part of comprehensive work they have undertaken to prevent violence, funded by The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
Maribyrnong is leading local governments Australia-wide, aiming to make its community safer and ultimately free from violence against women.
The survey has also found that more than half2 of all Council staff believe that they have a role to play in preventing violence against women.
VicHealth has funded Maribyrnong over three years to become a model for councils all over Australia in how to prevent violence against women.
VicHealth CEO Todd Harper says: “Violence against women is extremely serious; it is the biggest single health impact on women between the ages of 15 and 44 in terms of death, disability and ill-health.”
“Maribyrnong Council is doing a great job working out ways of making our communities more respectful and safer places to live. And they are clearly showing how local governments can play a greater role in preventing violence against women,” Mr Harper says.
As part of Maribyrnong Council’s commitment to reducing violence, it has recently reviewed 11 of its major facilities such as sporting clubs, recreation facilities, libraries and community centres to ensure that they are safe, welcoming and supportive environments for women, staff and community members.
Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, Cr Michael Clarke says: ““The results of the audit in our community were very encouraging – they demonstrated above average levels of community involvement in many local centres and that our facilities are safe and welcoming for women, young people and our culturally diverse communities.”
“It also recognises that spaces that are safe for women are safe for everyone and are evidence of a community that cares for all of its members,” said Cr Clarke.
“Maribyrnong Council is delighted to be working on a model that other council and state governments will find useful to deal with this incredibly important concern, preventing violence against women.”
“Management and staff have also been educating others about the need to foster respectful relationships and take responsibility, by providing practical tips to prevent violence,” Cr Michael Clarke says.
“Ultimately, we need all men to take responsibility for their attitudes and behaviour. Violence against women costs Australia at least $8.1 billion a year and some of this cost lands on local governments and their services,” Mr Harper says.
“Most importantly, violence against women cuts across all social classes and cultures. It is preventable and has huge impacts on those that experience the violence, leading to depression, anxiety and stress, as well as increased use of harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco and other drugs,” Mr Harper adds.
“In 2006, more than one in three women who had ever been in a relationship reported an experience of violence by a male partner.
“In addition to its work with local government, VicHealth is also piloting prevention initiatives in community football clubs, workplaces and community health programs assisting everyone to understand the role they can play in stopping violence against women from occurring in the first place,” Mr Harper added.
VicHealth is holding its annual Community Board Forum at Maribyrnong Council April 29.
1 The survey of Maribyrnong Council staff indicated about 95 per cent of staff think local government has a role to play in preventing violence against women.
2 The survey of Maribyrnong Council staff indicated about 57 per cent of staff feel that in their job at Council, they believe that they have a role in preventing violence against women.