Women mayors take stand against family violence

This year has seen the highest number of women mayors ever elected in Victorian history.

Women mayors of Victoria stand united in their concern about the unacceptable level of family violence in our communities and hear victims’ voices.

Gender inequality contributes to the prevalence of domestic violence , and this is an issue on which we need to take a united stand as a community.

We need to ensure our approaches are evidence-based and use best practice models from around the world.

We need to change the culture that enables violence through inaction by sending the right messages to our children.

We can support early childhood and school educators to embed the Respectful Relationships program into the curriculum from preschool to secondary education.

All levels of government are asked to unite and work together on the prevention of violence, and provide services to those needing immediate and ongoing support.

Raising awareness and acceptance of the importance of gender equality is essential to changing attitudes towards women and reducing disrespect and violence.

The women mayors of Victoria call on all female politicians at every level of government from all sides of politics to join us and pledge to take a stand against violence affecting women and children.

We, the women mayors of Victoria, ask our male colleagues and community leaders to stand beside us and continue supporting our efforts against family violence.

We thank service providers and people across the community who are doing so much to address family violence and add our voice to efforts already being made by so many.

Together we can tackle family violence and make our homes and communities safer places for all.

There are no “ifs” or “buts” or any other excuse for violence -of any shape or form- against women, whether physical, verbal, financial. It’s simply unacceptable. No man with integrity can justify such behaviour, no matter what the circumstances. There are no excuses.

Join us, the women mayors of Victoria, in our united effort to say NO to violence against women.