By Victoria Stone-Meadows
The City of Casey Council will take advantage of the State Government’s big spending on family violence prevention as they develop a new family violence strategy.
Casey Council will seek funding from the government and input from experts as it moves forward with implementing a new Family Violence Prevention Strategy.
At the council meeting on Tuesday 20 June, Councillor Rosalie Crestani recounted an emotional discussion she had with an unnamed police officer who manages family violence cases in City of Casey.
The discussion was used to highlight the toll violence against women and children in the Casey community has on everyone involved; from family members to police officers.
At the meeting, council passed recommendations that will see them writing to government ministers and experts as they seek assistance in forming the new strategy.
The council will seek the input of Dr Dina McMillan for the creation of the report as well as input from the head of the government’s new anti-violence agency Family Safety Victoria.
The council will also request a briefing from the government on the role of the Support and Safety Hubs that were proposed in the latest State budget.
The report presented to the council also outlined the cost, locations, and timeframe for the new banners and signage in the municipality originally proposed by Councillor Rex Flannery.
Council officers outlined in the report that a minimum of six weeks would be required to undertake the design, fabrication and installation of the anti-family violence banners.
For 156 banners and flags of varying sizes to be designed, printed and put up around the municipality on exiting banner and flag poles will cost about $27,300 and be covered by the current budget.
The council will develop the new family violence prevention strategy and accompanying action plan in the coming months.
