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Breaking the domestic violence cycle
24 November 2008
Domestic violence is a serious social problem which affects individuals, families, communities, the workplace and the economy.
For this reason, many local community groups are getting together to promote non-violent, healthy relationships as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign which runs from 25 November until 10 December 2008.
According to 16 Days of Activism committee member Pari Jay (who is also a social worker at Armidale Community Health Centre), there are many people who oppose domestic violence but don’t know how to do anything constructive to stop it.
“The 16 Days of Activism campaign is provides people with an ideal chance to learn more about putting an end to the domestic violence cycle,” Pari said.
“Many men and women recognise that domestic violence is unacceptable and are willing to take a strong stand on this issue – the more people who speak out against it, the better.”
Research indicates:
• children who live in an environment of domestic violence are impacted by long-term emotional and psychological harm
• violence is not confined to any specific groups or certain sections in the community
• domestic violence is specifically about ‘power, possession and control’ and not just about anger and conflict
• violence can be both overt and covert such as emotional, financial and social besides the obvious physical, sexual, verbal abuses where one person exerts control by power-over tactics upon another
Pari said it was imperative that zero-tolerance to violence should be a whole-of-community response.
“Violence is never a legitimate way of resolving relationship conflicts, nor should people use alcohol and other drugs, poverty and loss of job as an excuse for violence,” she said.
“The importance of healthy, wholesome respectful relationships is our mission for our community.”
The Armidale domestic violence steering committee has planned a number of activities to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism. These will include:
• A ‘healthy relationship’ activity and information stall in the Mall on 25 November from 9am to 1pm (White Ribbon Day)
• An Armidale Community Health Centre stall at Centro on 4 December from 9am to 4pm, and on 10 December from 9am to 4pm
• An art exhibition at the Art Gallery in the Mall, from 25 November to the 10 December
For more information about the local support that’s available to help keep our community safe, please contact the Armidale Women’s Shelter on 6772 5352, Women’s Housing Group 6772 8915 or the Women’s Centre 6772 9540.
(HNE-1631)
Contact: Carisa Josephs
Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183
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