A year into Inverell’s pilot White Ribbon Community project and organisers are keen to see if local’s understanding of violence against women and gender equality has improved.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The project aims to prevent domestic and family violence, and has released a community-wide survey to gauge residents’ opinions. A similar survey last year indicated a low level of awareness on bullying, stalking, likely perpetrators and where to seek support.
Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon is calling on residents to participate.
“For too long the rate of domestic and family violence in Inverell has been too high. While reported rates of domestic violence to the NSW Police have reduced in the last few years, physical violence is only one form of violence. This survey helps people understand that,” he said.
“The community survey is really a really important part of the project," executive manager for community development at White Ribbon Australia Liam Dooley said.
“When we conducted the first survey in April last year; its purpose was to help up understand what the community thinks violence and gender inequality is, providing the project team with insight into where to concentrate effort on. This time around; the purpose of the survey is to tell us how effective we’ve been in challenging what people think ‘normal’ is.”
Susan Heyman, executive director, Rural and Regional Health Services with Hunter New England Health and chair of the New England Violence Prevention Initiative, said the survey is something that’s never been done before in a community.
“We got a great response from the community with almost 200 residents participating in the first survey. We’d love those individuals and more to participate again,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity for Inverell residents to provide their view on domestic and family violence anonymously. We encourage every member of the community to get involved. Importantly, however, you don’t need to have completed the survey last year to participate this year”.
“We’ve done a lot over the last year tackling domestic and family violence in our community,” Cr Harmon said.
“Our marches have been well-attended, all our local schools have got behind the initiative and done some amazing things raising awareness and empowering kids to have respectful relationships. Even the Business Chamber has been talking about what the businesses can do.
“But the work doesn’t stop. To end violence against women and domestic and family violence in our community we need everyone’s input.”
The survey is available on the council’s website or through the project’s Facebook page.
Community members can also use computer kiosks at the Inverell Library, Linking Together Centre or in the foyer of council administration building. A limited number of paper copies have been printed and are also available from the library and council administration building.
To receive a copy of the survey or be actively involved in the project, residents can contact Council on (02) 6728 8288. The survey will be open until the end of April.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for information and support.
