Campaspe #DASH to raise awareness of domestic and family violence

28 October 2019 - Media release

Campaspe Shire Council is continuing its campaign to raise awareness of domestic and family violence with an open invitation to a whole of community event.

Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said the event, a DASH, will be held on Monday, 25 November at 10am in Murray Esplanade, Echuca. The DASH, Domestic Abuse Stops Here, coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, a global initiative running from 25 November through to 10 December, annually.

“The 100 metre non-competitive ‘DASH’ will see men and women from a range of community groups and organisations participating,” the Mayor added.

“It will also link to this year’s 16 Days of Activism theme, ‘Leave No One Behind’.”

Council had previously aligned itself with the White Ribbon Foundation and a campaign focusing on preventing violence against women. In past years, a community event was held on White Ribbon Day, also being the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

“With the White Ribbon Foundation recently announcing it was closing its doors in Australia our focus continues to be raising awareness of the issues in our community and what we can all do to prevent domestic and family violence,” Cr Weston said.

“If we can change the conversation, we can change the culture that allows family violence and violence against women to happen in the first place.”

“The issue is real in our community and across Australia, with one in three women having experienced physical and/or sexual violence from someone they know. We want to play our part in generating a greater awareness of the issue and support services available.”

“I encourage the community to join together in this event and help raise awareness of this important issue.”