Leaders across the Illawarra united to send a message that violence against women will not be tolerated. Picture by Sylvia Liber.
The Illawarra leaders supporting 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Reckoning, recovery, rebuild, reframe and relentless are just some of the words being used by business leaders across the Illawarra in a campaign to stop violence against women.
To kick off 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, community and business leaders united at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus with one message to eliminate violence against women.
Friday, November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the first of the 16 days of action.
This year’s theme for the event is ‘unite’, and the display of solidarity by leaders from NSW Police, the Salvation Army, The Steelers Club, His Boy Elroy, Women Illawarra, and the University of Wollongong shows how a difference is being made at the grass roots. Organiser of the event and CEO of the Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, Sally Stevenson said this is how change starts.
“These are people who operate in their communities and if they take a stand against violence that filters through their organisations and communities,” she said.
One in three women experience gender-based violence during their lifetime, and Ms Stevenson called for people across the Illawarra to take a small step towards making a change.
“What we’d like to see is action over awareness from those working in the environment beyond the domestic violence sector. If that happens, we are starting to unite as a community and to show that we are ready for change,” she said.
The full list of words being used by business leaders in the Illawarra eliminate violence against women: REAL – Judy Daunt, Member of the Illawarra Women’s Council for Women at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre.
“Domestic violence is REAL. It impacts all aspects of a women’s life, including legal, financial, housing and her health. I will always raise my voice to advocate for REAL social and cultural change, so that women in our society are respected, equal and healthy.”
REFRAME – Peter Baker, Vice President of Operations, of South32 Illawarra Metallurgical Coal. South32 are the Founding Corporate Partner of the Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
We need to REFRAME this discussion. Domestic, family, or sexual violence isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a men’s violence issue.
RESPECT – Ash Markstone, a Dunghutti woman from Northern New South Wales and Lecturer in Indigenous Studies, at the University of Wollongong.
We must RESPECT the rights of all women to feel safe and protected, whatever their race, colour, religion, or sexuality.
RECOVERY – Jeremy Lasek. Before returning to the Illawarra region to work with the Waples Marketing Group, Jeremy was CEO of the National Australia Day Council and head of communications for the Australian Federal Police.
To support RECOVERY, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will provide wrap around services with medical and health care, legal support and financial counselling for victims of domestic violence.
REBUILD – Sharon Arrow. Sharon is the General Manager of the Steelers Club in Wollongong, a significant hub for local community members, events, and activity.
It is a whole of community responsibility to support women and children who have been impacted by domestic and family violence to help REBUILD their lives.
RESILIENCE – Lachlan Stevens, is the owner-operator of His Boy Elroy and Founder of ‘Barstool Brothers’ – a men’s mental health initiative.
By investing in the safety, health and healing of domestic and family violence victims, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will build RESILIENCE and capacity. REMEMBER – Melissa Russell, is a Chief of Staff, Journalist, and Presenter at WIN TV.
In Australia, it’s important to REMEMBER one in four women have experienced violence from a partner since the age of 15, and one in five have experienced sexual violence across their lifetime.
REPUTATION – Christian McEwan, is a Radio Broadcaster, and part of the WIN Wollongong’s i98FM Marty, Christian & Bella for Breakfast show.
The new Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will strive to build a world-class REPUTATION for excellence, compassion, integrity and respect.
RECKONING – Gayle Tomlinson, is the first female editor of the Illawarra Mercury, which traces its origins back to 1855.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women marks a day of RECKONING. It marks an acknowledgement Australia needs a new approach to tackling domestic violence and greater investment in the safety, health and healing of women in our community.
RESTART – Karen Walker, is the Community Fundraising & Public Relations Coordinator, Illawarra Salvation Army
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will transform recovery services for women who have experienced violence and abuse, giving them a chance to RESTART their lives.
REFORM – Michelle Glasgow, is the General Manager, Women Illawarra
In our society, priority must be given to urgently REFORM the legal systems to provide greater protection and justice to victims of domestic, family and sexual violence.
RESOURCEFUL – Tina Smith, is the President, South Coast Labour Council
Domestic, family, and sexual violence and abuse is a community-wide public health emergency. We need to be RESOURCEFUL to deliver bold, focused and courageous action to create a safer Australia.
REFRESH – Jayson Joerdens, is a Detective Sargent with NSW Police
Over these 16 days of activism, we need to REFRESH our understanding of the scale of the domestic and family violence scourge in society and commit to eliminating the threat and removing the fear for those traumatised on a daily basis.
RESEARCH – Patricia Davidson, is the Vice Chancellor at the University of Wollongong. The University of Wollongong is a valued Partner of the Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
As a priority we must RESEARCH the causes of the gender power imbalance that contributes to domestic, family and sexual violence and understand how we can establish greater respect to keep women and kids safe.
REVOLUTIONISE – Christine Donayres, is an Employee & Industrial Relations Specialist, at the Illawarra Legal Centre
As a first in Australia, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will REVOLUTIONISE domestic, family and sexual response and recovery services in our region.
RELENTLESS – Maris Depers, is a Psychologist with The Salvation Army For too many women, the lifelong impact of domestic, family, and sexual violence has been RELENTLESS and requires urgent action.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7994530/the-illawarra-leaders-taking-action-to-eliminate-violence-against-women/