may 6 - 12 | 2015
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circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
Changing attitudes By KYLIE WILSON
HELPING OTHERS:
Kerry Burns from the Centre Against Violence PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH DAWN &
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RSPCA WITH
OTIS
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WINE TALK WITH
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ANITA
VIOLENCE against women, whether in the home or random public attacks, are more prevalent than ever, and local women’s health and support services are fighting hard to help remove the stigma for victims. The statistics are sobering: 34 women have been killed by their partners in Australia since the beginning of this year, and in our region police have made 451 referrals to Wangaratta’s Centre Against Violence in the first quarter of 2015 alone. Chief executive officer of Centre Against Violence, Kerry Burns, said that responses from a 2013 VicHealth survey showed that many people still make excuses for perpetrators of such violence. She said the survey showed many people still think it is okay to excuse domestic violence in cases where people get so angry they lose control (22 per cent of respondents); if people are under a lot of stress (12 per cent), or if the offender is affected by alcohol (9 per cent). Ms Burns said some people take the view that women invent or exaggerate reporting violence, but that perception was untrue. “Rates of violence against women and children – in public and private – tell us we’ve got a long way to go in Victoria,” she said. “We know violence does not solve problems. “It’s not OK, it’s never OK.” Ms Burns said one of the most dangerous times for a woman suffering from family violence is when she is leaving her partner or has started a new relationship. continued page |
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