Spotlight on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
23 November 2020
Alpine Health and Alpine Shire Council are together tackling gender-based violence by supporting the ’16 Days of Activism’ Respect Victoria campaign.
From November 25 to December 10 organisations across the world will continue to promote gender equality and respect.
Alpine Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Charlie Bird said Council and Alpine Health have committed to reducing family violence following the Royal Commission into Family Violence findings handed down in March 2016.
“The Respect Is… campaign recognises the gendered nature of family violence and helps us all to explore our own values and beliefs,” he said.
“It shows us how we can re-focus attitudes and behaviours to support a community who value respect and say “no” to violence.
“Council has engaged in Workplace Equality and Respect (WER) measures to introduce a range of standards to support our work towards gender equality, and most staff have attended bystander training to further support the WER standards.”
Mr Bird said Council is proud to champion equality, not only throughout the organisation but also with its newly-elected Councillors.
“It’s fantastic to see diversity in our new Council, with four female and three male Councillors elected this term,” he said.
Since 2017, Alpine Health has implemented the Strengthening Hospital Responses to Family Violence systems change across its service delivery by introducing mandatory screening for family violence in October 2018 for all patients, clients and residents.
Both Alpine Shire Council and Alpine Health have introduced family violence leave according to specific enterprise bargaining agreements in their work-related areas.
Alpine Health Chief Executive Officer Nick Shaw said " there is a wide scale shift towards a greater understanding of family violence and its far-ranging impacts."
“We’re gaining a better understanding of what family violence means to our staff and their families and how it impacts work, home and community in a social, community and structural context,” he said.
“By naming the problem, we are helping to reduce the stigma around seeking help and support.”
For more information go to Respect Victoria or MAV to download resources and support the campaign.
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More information:
Lisa Neville | CTC Alpine Coordinator / SHRFV Project Officer
[email protected] | 03 5755 0132