The campaign, which challenges violence against women and girls, runs each year between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and Human Rights Day on December 10.
This year’s theme is ‘safe everywhere, always’.
The informative three-hour forum in Shepparton will feature professional speakers from various organisations in the Greater Shepparton area, including CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault), VincentCare, Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District, The Orange Door and Family Care, who will speak about specific family violence topics and their roles in supporting victims and their families.
A keynote address will be made by Victoria Police’s Senior Sergeant Rachel Walsh, who is the family violence training officer for the Shepparton, Benalla and Mitchell police service areas.
Crime Statistics Agency figures show police responded to almost 99,000 family violence incidents in the past year, which equates to one family violence incident every five minutes in Victoria.
Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway said Victoria Police was proud to support various events across the state for the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
“Our participation is important in reinforcing to Victorians that family violence is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” she said.
“It also gives us an opportunity to stand with many people who may be suffering in silence.”
The 16 Days of Activism Community Forum is aimed at the general community and organisations in Greater Shepparton; however, due to the family violence content, it is not recommended for children.
The free forum will be held from 11am to 2pm on Friday, November 29 on level four of SAM.
A light lunch will be provided.
Tickets and seating are limited.
∎ To book your place, visit: shepp.city/16days
∎ A list of 16 Days of Activism events in the Goulburn Valley can be found on the Greater Shepparton Family Violence Prevention Network Facebook page.
∎ For more information on what Victoria Police is doing to protect victim-survivors of family violence visit police.vic.gov.au/family-violence
∎ If you have experienced or are experiencing family violence, you can call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support.
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