Speak out against domestic violence this Friday
Murray Bridge's annual 'Shout No' event will take place this Friday at the Place of Courage at Sturt Reserve.
For 16 days, the Murray Bridge community is being encouraged to actively stand against gender-based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign serves as a powerful tool for individuals and organisations to advocate for not only prevention but elimination of violence against women and girls.
Murray Bridge's annual Shout No event will take place as part of the campaign at the Place of Courage, at Sturt Reserve, this Friday, November 29 from 11am-1pm.
The day will begin with a welcome for supporters, followed by an awareness-raising march around Sturt Reserve, before returning to the Place of Courage for student-led activities and lunch.
Anti-violence advocate Tim Law said that family and gender based violence was not limited to one demographic.
“It can happen and does happen in any community," he said.
"An event like this one brings to the forefront of people’s minds that changing the behaviours of perpetrators will take a whole-of-community effort.”
The campaign, which began on November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – will continue until December 10, Human Rights Day.
It originated in 1991 during the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute.
The chair of the Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence Against Women and Children, Helen Mattick, said sadly 55 women had died in Australia because of family and domestic abuse (FDA) this year.
“That is just too many ... as a community, FDA needs to be openly talked about," she said.
"We need to talk about the causes, what FDA looks like and what we need to do as a community to end it.
“True change can only happen when we all take the time to learn about FDA and act on what we have learned.
"I want people to know that we can change this story.
"I want people to know that we, as a community, can come together and show that family and domestic abuse is never acceptable.”
For people with lived experience of FDA, she said: "We see you, we believe you and are here to support you."
"Together we can create a community that is safe for everyone."
- Get help: Call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098, or Murray Mallee Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Service on 8215 6320; visit the Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre between 9am and 4pm on weekdays, or the DVINA Centre on Standen Street between 10am and 5pm Monday to Saturday; or, in an emergency, dial 000.
- Read more: Sturt Reserve place of courage launched for those affected by domestic violence
