By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Three City of Casey councillors have nominated $5000 each from their training and education expenses allowances to help fund a seminar about preventing family violence.
Councillors Rex Flannery, Rosalie Crestani, and Milla Gilic sacrificed their allowances from the 16/17 council budget to retain Dr Dina McMillan to conduct a family violence seminar where abusive relationships will be discussed.
As well as a renowned author, Dr McMillan has also provided training for human service professionals, advised the Australian Government on domestic violence policy and assisted agencies to develop family violence support groups.
The move from these councillors comes after a report was presented to council on Tuesday 2 May that detailed the council’s current programs and initiatives regarding family violence.
The report was called for by Cr Flannery at the previous council meeting where he also suggested the council should invest in banners or signage declaring the council’s support for ending family violence.
The report shows that council currently has a men’s action group that focuses on supporting council to address the causes of family violence.
It also shows council supports exterior events such as White Ribbon Day through a lunch held with Bunjil Place contractor Multiplex in 2016 and through large ‘advertisements’ on the city’s rubbish trucks.
Council also has established partnerships with community organisations that work with victims and perpetrators of family violence.
However, councillors Flannery, Crestani and Gilic believe more can be done to prevent family violence in Casey through education and engagement with community leaders.
“I think there is a lot we have already done and we are doing quite a lot of work supporting services and referring issues to professionals when they come up,” Cr Crestani said.
“However, there is always more to do and that is what Rex Flannery is getting at, and I support a series of seminars that we can run that are community based,” she said.
“We want these seminars to be a forum where someone can teach the community to live in a safe environment, how to identify abusers, and how to get help away from an unsafe environment.”
“It’s all about empowering the community.”
Cr Flannery said he would support one of the 17 new family violence hubs announced by the State Government to be established in City of Casey.
“We would love a hub to be able to share with Greater Dandenong and Cardinia, it’s a no brainer,” he said.
“We are on track to become the biggest municipality in Victoria, so it would be sensible to have them there.”
A further report will be presented to council by June 2017 that will detail the viability of erecting Say No to Family Violence roadside banners in the municipality.
