By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NARRE Warren South MP Judith Graley will this month launch a new family violence campaign to raise awareness on the issue at local schools.
Ms Graley and Prevention of Family Violence Minister Fiona Richardson will launch the ‘Say No to Family Violence’ at Kambrya College in Berwick next Friday, encouraging school students, their families and also other community organisations to get behind the initiative.
Last year close to 4000 family violence incidents in Casey were reported to police, with the specialised Casey Family Violence Unit responding to roughly 10 incidents per every eight hour shift.
“Our campaign is only a first step, but it is a step that we need to take, a step that I hope will ensure a greater awareness and understanding of the devastating impact family violence has on our community,” Ms Graley said.
“I am so very pleased that the minister will be joining with us to launch the campaign, and I have no doubt that our community will stand together proudly on this very important issue.”
Ms Graley said students taking part in the campaign would be made better aware of the family violence scourge in Casey and will assist in preparing a banner to spread this knowledge.
“For too long, countless women and children have been forced to live in fear, subjected to horrors that no one should ever have to experience,” Ms Graley said.
“It is time that we as a community stand together and give these victims a voice, give them not only the help they need but also the hope that it will never happen again.”
The launch of the new campaign comes as the State Government this week confirmed a $3.5 million boost to family violence counselling services across the state.
The money was allocated over two years in last month’s budget, with $1 million set to be distributed before 30 June.
The funding is being allocated according to need, with agencies in areas with the greatest demand set to receive the most money.
The six areas identified as having the greatest need are Southern Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula, North East Melbourne, Western Melbourne, Inner Gippsland and Hume Moreland.
It’s understood Windermere in Narre Warren will be one of the organisations receiving funding.
For more information about the Say No to Family Violence campaign, or to get involved, contact Ms Graley’s office on 9704 6055.
