Media Releases

The entire community of Greater Bendigo has taken an important step towards building new respect between men and women and ending the cycle of violence, the State Government’s Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Damian Drum, said today.

Mr Drum officially opened a public forum, Achieving Respect and Gender Equality in Greater Bendigo, aimed at finding ways to end gender-based violence.

“Just as violence in our homes has devastating impacts on our entire community, so it is up to us all to develop a community-wide response.

‘One of the most pervasive and devastating forms of violence is the use of violence by men against women. It is a violation of the most fundamental rights of women and children – but it can be tackled only with commitment and direction.”

The forum brings together state and local governments, community groups, individuals and health and well-being agencies.

In 2010-11, police responded to 753 family violence reports in Bendigo, compared to 420 call outs in 2006-07.

“Statewide, there were 40,892 violence incidents reports – up 14.6 per cent in a year,” Mr Drum said.

“That’s why addressing violence against women and children is an important priority for the Coalition Government. We have invested more than $75 million this financial year to both prevent and respond to this issue.

“State Minister for Women’s Affairs, Mary Wooldridge has launched a new push to find better ways to address gender violence over the next three years. That project has already begun.

“And now we are also seeing local government inspiring us with its efforts to end the violence.

“The Coalition Government has invested just over $1.5 million helping local government build respectful, fair and non-violent communities.

“The Bendigo forum is part of that response,” Mr Drum said.

He said the forum, at Bendigo’s Capital Theatre, demonstrated the whole-of-community response to develop ways to deal with the problem.

“I congratulate the City of Greater Bendigo for its leadership in making this a community responsibility and a high priority,” Mr Drum said.