Personal Safety

Your personal safety is improved when you are aware of your surroundings, know how to avoid risks and have strategies to stay safe. Whether at home or at work, when travelling or in recreation the best person to keep you safe is you. Be aware and make good decisions so you can go enjoy yourself and stay safe.

For more information about personal safety visit the Victoria Police or the Victorian Government website using the links on this page.

Preventing Violence against Women in Our Community

Yarra Ranges Council is currently working on a project in partnership with Knox City Council and Maroondah City Council.

Project Background

The Preventing Violence against Women in Our Community initiative is a three and a half year project (Sept 2011 to Dec 2014) that seeks to develop a whole-of-community approach to the prevention of violence against women.

The project, located in the outer east of Melbourne, is funded by the Office of Women’s Policy, Department of Human Services as a component of the Victorian Government’s commitment to preventing violence against women before it occurs.

Context

What is violence against women?

·         Any act directed at a woman that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering.

This includes threats of such behaviour and abuse that is verbal, emotional, social and/or financial in nature.

·         Family violence and sexual assault are the most pervasive forms of violence experienced by women in Victoria.

Whilst anyone can be a victim of family violence or sexual assault, it is predominantly committed by men against women, children and other vulnerable persons.

Evidence suggests that most violence against women is perpetrated by a male acquaintance, intimate partner, or other relative.

Violence in the home is the biggest contributor to death, disability and health problems for Victorian women aged 15-45.

Family violence and sexual assault perpetrated against women costs the nation $13.6 billion each year.

Violence against women has devastating effects on women and girl’s long-term physical and mental health, with serious ramifications for the wellbeing of families, communities and societies.

Violence against women is serious

Violence against women is prevalent

1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence from the age of 15.

• Nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

• According to the latest Victoria Police figures, Yarra Ranges recorded the second highest rate of reported family violence incidents in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

A focus on prevention

While it is important to improve responses to incidents of violence, it is equally critical that investment and commitment is made to creating a future where women can live free from violence.

It is possible to prevent violence before it occurs by addressing the underlying causes or determinants of violence against women.

The key determinants of violence against women are:

• Unequal power relations between men and women;

• Adherence to rigid stereotypes;

• Broader cultures of violence.

Preventing violence against women is about building systems, cultures, organisations, and communities that are safe and inclusive of women and promote equal and respectful relationships between men and women.

For more information on the determinants and contributing factors to violence against women please visit

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-and-Projects/Freedom-from-violence.aspx

Project Goal

The overarching goal of the project is to prevent violence against women by building communities, cultures and organisations that are non-violent, gender equitable and support respectful and equal relationships and non-violent norms between men and women.

The project at Yarra Ranges

During the first phase of the project, a series of meetings and presentations have been delivered to staff across council to highlight the ways in which they can promote safety, respect and equality for women and men.

Key project activities having included:

• Delivery of an MAV Leadership Engagement Session titled “Promoting Gender Equity to Prevent Violence against Women” to senior leaders from Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils.

• White Ribbons and wrist bands made available to community members in recognition of White Ribbon Day on the 25^th of November.

• Organisation of a staff White Ribbon Day BBQ lunch and presentation given by ex-AFL player and commentator Phil Cleary.

• Delivery of an Outer East Preventing Violence against Women Leisure Services session to Leisure Service representatives from Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Council. The session focused on the importance of promoting the inclusion, safety and respect of women and girls in leisure activities.

Council contacts

For further information on the project at Maroondah please contact:

• Isha Scott, Executive Officer Social and Community Planning on (03) 9294 6429 or

  i.scott@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

• Cathi Walker, Social Planning and Development Officer on (03) 9294 6113 or

  c.walker@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Anna Stewart is the Project Coordinator who works across Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils to facilitate the delivery of project activities. She can be contacted on 0478 489 046 or

a.stewart@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Further information and resources

• The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) – Preventing Violence against Women

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-and-Projects/Freedom-from-violence.aspx

• Municipal Association of Victoria – The Local Government and Community Partnerships Program: Preventing Violence against Women Project

http://www.mav.asn.au/policy-services/social-community/gender-equity/Pages/default.aspx

• Women’s Health East

http://www.whe.org.au/newsite/index.html

• Gender and Local Government 10 Ways Local Government Promote Gender Equity Factsheets

http://www.mav.asn.au/policy-services/social-community/gender-equity/prevention-plans-resources/Pages/gender-analysis.aspx

Family Violence and Sexual Assault Services

• Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service

The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service is the Victorian state-wide service for women experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone else close to them.

Phone:  1800 015 188 (24 Hour Toll Free Line)

Website:

http://www.wdvcs.org.au/Home_S1

• Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS)

EDVOS is the primary family violence service for women and their children who live or work in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne and who are currently living with or who have experience family violence.

Phone: Mon-Fri, 9-5pm (03) 9259 4200

• Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA)

ECASA provides services to women, men, children and young people who are victims/survivors of recent or past sexual assault. The service is also available to non-offending family members, partners and friends.

Phone: 1800 806 292 (24 Hour Toll Free Line) or (03) 9870 7310

Website:

http://www.easternhealth.org.au/services/community/communityecasa.aspx

• Men’s Referral Service

Men’s Referral Service offers a free, confidential and anonymous telephone counselling service for:

-        men who might be using violent and controlling behaviour towards a partner or family member;

-        women wishing to find information about male family violence for their partners or for themselves

-        friends, family or colleagues of people who are either using or experiencing family violence

-        professionals wishing to support a male or female client

Phone: 9am-9pm Mon-Fri 1800 065 973 (free call within Victoria), or (03) 94282899

Website:

http://www.mrs.org.au/

• Violence in the home is the biggest contributor to death, disability and health problems for Victorian women aged 15-45.
• Family violence and sexual assault perpetrated against women costs the nation $13.6 billion each year.
• Violence against women has devastating effects on women and girl’s long-term physical and mental health, with serious ramifications for the wellbeing of families, communities and societies.

Violence against women is serious

  Violence against women is prevalent

• 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence from the age of 15.
• Nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.[5]
  • According to the latest Victoria Police figures, Yarra Ranges recorded the second highest rate of reported family violence incidents in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

A focus on prevention

While it is important to improve responses to incidents of violence, it is equally critical that investment and commitment is made to creating a future where women can live free from violence.

It is possible to prevent violence before it occurs by addressing the underlying causes or determinants of violence against women.

The key determinants of violence against women are:

• Unequal power relations between men and women;
• Adherence to rigid stereotypes;
• Broader cultures of violence.

Preventing violence against women is about building systems, cultures, organisations, and communities that are safe and inclusive of women and promote equal and respectful relationships between men and women.

For more information on the determinants and contributing factors to violence against women please visit http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-and-Projects/Freedom-from-violence.aspx

Project Goal

The overarching goal of the project is to prevent violence against women by building communities, cultures and organisations that are non-violent, gender equitable and support respectful and equal relationships and non-violent norms between men and women.

The project at Yarra Ranges

During the first phase of the project, a series of meetings and presentations have been delivered to staff across council to highlight the ways in which they can promote safety, respect and equality for women and men.

Key project activities having included:

• Delivery of an MAV Leadership Engagement Session titled “Promoting Gender Equity to Prevent Violence against Women” to senior leaders from Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils.
• White Ribbons and wrist bands made available to community members in recognition of White Ribbon Day on the 25^th of November.
• Organisation of a staff White Ribbon Day BBQ lunch and presentation given by ex-AFL player and commentator Phil Cleary.
• Delivery of an Outer East Preventing Violence against Women Leisure Services session to Leisure Service representatives from Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Council. The session focused on the importance of promoting the inclusion, safety and respect of women and girls in leisure activities.

Council contacts

For further information on the project at Yarra Ranges please contact:

• Isha Scott, Executive Officer Social and Community Planning on (03) 9294 6429 or i.scott@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
• Cathi Walker, Social Planning and Development Officer on (03) 9294 6113 or c.walker@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Anna Stewart is the Project Coordinator who works across Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils to facilitate the delivery of project activities. She can be contacted on 0478 489 046 or a.stewart@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Further information and resources

• The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) – Preventing Violence against Women

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-and-Projects/Freedom-from-violence.aspx

• Municipal Association of Victoria – The Local Government and Community Partnerships Program: Preventing Violence against Women Project

http://www.mav.asn.au/policy-services/social-community/gender-equity/Pages/default.aspx

• Women’s Health East

http://www.whe.org.au/newsite/index.html

• Gender and Local Government 10 Ways Local Government Promote Gender Equity Factsheets

http://www.mav.asn.au/policy-services/social-community/gender-equity/prevention-plans-resources/Pages/gender-analysis.aspx

Family Violence and Sexual Assault Services

• Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service

The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service is the Victorian state-wide service for women experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone else close to them.

Phone:  1800 015 188 (24 Hour Toll Free Line)

Website: http://www.wdvcs.org.au/Home_S1

• Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS)

EDVOS is the primary family violence service for women and their children who live or work in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne and who are currently living with or who have experience family violence.

Phone: Mon-Fri, 9-5pm (03) 9259 4200

• Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA)

ECASA provides services to women, men, children and young people who are victims/survivors of recent or past sexual assault. The service is also available to non-offending family members, partners and friends.

Phone: 1800 806 292 (24 Hour Toll Free Line) or (03) 9870 7310

Website: http://www.easternhealth.org.au/services/community/communityecasa.aspx

• Men’s Referral Service

Men’s Referral Service offers a free, confidential and anonymous telephone counselling service for:

-        men who might be using violent and controlling behaviour towards a partner or family member;

-        women wishing to find information about male family violence for their partners or for themselves

-        friends, family or colleagues of people who are either using or experiencing family violence

-        professionals wishing to support a male or female client

Phone: 9am-9pm Mon-Fri 1800 065 973 (free call within Victoria), or (03) 94282899

Website: http://www.mrs.org.au/