Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a clear message shared on the steps of the Goulburn Police station this morning: domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in the district.
A purple banner which reads ‘Goulburn says no to domestic and family violence’ hangs on the Goulburn Police station in the lead up to White Ribbon Day this Saturday.
The banner has now become a familiar sight in the district, with many businesses and organisations hanging it up in support for greater education and awareness.
Signs and flyers have also been distributed Southern NSW area manager for Mission Australia Daniel Strickland said, with some cafes using white ribbon coffee cups.
“Domestic and family violence is not happening this week, it’s happening all year around. We appreciate the support the Goulburn community and the business community that has lent to this cause,” he said.
“It’s no longer a taboo subject.”
The committee, with support of key agencies, have spoken to school students about domestic and family violence, intervention and respectful behaviour.
“One of the things that shock me when I’m talking to young people is they don’t identify as what’s happening in their household as domestic and family violence, they just think that’s normal,” he said.
“It’s surprising and quite upsetting that people are experiencing this and not calling it, and don’t know it’s domestic violence they’re experiencing.”
Mr Strickland, who is also a part of the committee, is not encouraging people to “wrestle the bloke down” if there is an incident of family or domestic violence, but to reach out for help.
“You can be that person that puts a stop to that incident. We want people to stand up, speak out and take action,” he said.
There is also a greater focus on addressing cases amongst non-English speaking backgrounds.
“I have particular concerns about people from non-English speaking backgrounds,” he said. “
“We find through our discussions with clients from other countries that they are hesitant to approach the police due to poor experiences in their country of origin. We need to do more work around this with our community.”
But there is still a long way to go.
Last week, Goulburn Family and Domestic Violence Committee chairperson Linda Burridge was left speechless following a phone conversation with the father of a person who had committed domestic violence.
“It’s because Australian women play up too much and are too independent, he said to me, I was that shocked that he was blaming Australian women,” she said.
“He said, and you wonder why? I didn’t know what to say.”
The conversation left Ms Burridge, who has worked with domestic and family violence cases for the past 20 years, distressed.
“It’s embedded in many men’s mind that it’s OK, and White Ribbon walks and raising awareness is putting out there that it’s not OK,” she said.
“Domestic violence is about control, it’s about attitudes towards women and that in ability to resolve conflict in an appropriate way. There’s a lot of perpetrators you wouldn't expect.”
According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), in 2012 16.9 per cent of Australian women over 18 had experienced some form of violence from their partner.
In 2011, BOCSAR revealed 19 out of 20 local government areas with higher cases of domestic violence took place in rural and regional NSW.
“It’s the same narrative, the same excuses, the same reasons, the same inability to change core values. Change is happening slowly, but I don’t think its happening fast enough,” she said.
“I don’t think people understand the seriousness of it, it could take a flash and the victim’s dead.”
Last month, the state government and the NSW Police announced Safer Pathways, an initiative aimed to open cross agency dialogue for groups responding to domestic and family violence.
Prior to this the Hume LAC welcomed a second domestic violence liaison officer (DVLO).
“White Ribbon Day is a very important date on the calendar,” Hume LAC Detective Inspector Chad Gillies said.
“We want to give victims the confidence to come forward to work with police and support agencies to end domestic violence for the individuals. One of our big push is to change the mindset to people that this is a crime and not a social issue.”
White Ribbon Day is on November 25. The Goulburn Family and Domestic Violence Committee will hold a White Ribbon Walk on November 24 down Auburn Street.
To host an event, head to whiteribbon.org.au.