By Romy Stephens
A new campaign has been developed in the eastern suburbs to help fight against family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The #TogetherforRespectAtHome social marketing campaign has seen councils, community health agencies and specialist services across the east come together to provide emergency support information and ways to deal with stress.
Eastern Domestic Violence CEO Christine Mathieson said situations such as a bushfire or economic hardship consistently showed an increase in the number of family violence cases.
“We are seeing an increase in family violence incidents and demand for help as a result of Covid-19,” she said.
“All people deserve to live free from fear and family violence. The Together for Respect at Home campaign encourages our community to choose kindness, compassion and respect during this difficult time.”
Family violence victim survivor Mim said the current situation had forced people back into their homes and for many, this was not the safest place to be.
“Services haven’t been as accessible, including doctors, chemists, emergency relief services which has had a knock on effect,” she said.
“This situation has forced people to be with their violent partners 24 hours a day.”
The campaign comes as the latest crime statistics showed that family violence incidents increased over the past 12 months.
The Crime Statistic Agency’s latest report saw an increase of over 6 per cent, or over 2700 offences, for family violence offences.
Women’s Health East CEO Kristine Olaris said a shared concern for this issue has brought agencies together to try and provide alternative strategies and easy access to emergency help numbers.
“We need to prevent the violence before it starts,” she said.
“The campaign brings into focus how important respect in the home is, whether it be between partners, towards older parents or children.
“We have a long way to go in the Covid-19 recovery and we need to be supporting each other and promoting healthier ways to manage the changes that lie ahead.
“The best way we can do that is to all be sharing consistent and positive messaging around violence prevention.”
VicHealth and the Eastern Football and Netball League were also promoting the campaign.
Organisations can engage in the social marketing campaign by visiting, http://whe.org.au/tfer/tfer-projects/.
For further information on the #TogetherForRespectAtHome campaign, contact 9259 4200 or Brianna.myors@edvos.org.au.
