AMID a sea of pink pussycat beanies there was an important message to share.
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On Reclaim the Night, Hastings residents came together as a part of an enduring international movement to say no to violence against women and in our community.
Men, women and children walked hand in hand, united in the cause, accepting the responsibility that social change is ours to own and abuse of any kind, against anyone, is unacceptable.
It doesn’t matter how someone dresses, where they go, how old they are, how late it is, how many partners they’ve had, whether they are married, or how many drinks they have had – no-one is ever “asking for it”.
- Mayor Peta Pinson
The shocking statistics speak for themselves – from the age of 15, one in five women and one in 20 men will experience sexual violence.
One in three women will experience physical violence. One in six women and one in 16 men will experience physical and/or sexual violence by a partner according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Australia Report 2018 goes on to say that women are at greater risk of family, domestic and sexual violence.
Men are more likely to experience violence from strangers.
It will be real action on behalf of a united community that will make a difference.
“It doesn’t matter how someone dresses, where they go, how old they are, how late it is, how many partners they’ve had, whether they are married, or how many drinks they have had – no-one is ever “asking for it” or to be a target of harassment and violence,” Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said.
“We march to challenge the assumption that women invite violence or intimidation through their behaviour or appearance.
“There is an incredible shift happening in the community at the moment around respect. There is nothing remotely excusable about violence, abuse and intimidation against women anywhere, at any time. It is wrong.”
Mrs Pinson said it is everyone’s right to feel safe in their community and the Hastings must walk together toward a culture of respect, nurturing and compassion.
Read more: Possibility is the key to real social change
Reclaim the Night is a partnership event hosted by the Mid North Coast Health District, NSW Police, TAFE NSW, headspace and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
Headspace spokesperson Julie Jamieson thanked the community for its support and the volunteers who knitted pink pussycat beanies to raise money to for their organisation and its important work for at-risk youth.
Mid North Coast Health District’s Alan Pretty said the impacts of violence affect a community from homelessness to the workplace.
The report states in 2016–17, about 72,000 women, 34,000 children and 9,000 men seeking homelessness services reported that family and domestic violence caused or contributed to their homelessness.
In 2011, it contributed to more burden of disease (the impact of illness, disability and premature death) than any other risk factor for women aged 25–44. Mental health conditions were the largest contributor due to physical/sexual intimate partner violence, with anxiety disorders making up the greatest proportion.
In 2015–16, the financial cost of violence against women and their children in Australia was estimated at $22 billion.