06 Dec 2017 Mansfield Courier, Mansfield VIC (General News) Mansfield goes orange for the Against Violence campaign THE Mansfield Shire has again joined in the State Governments campaign to eradicate violence against women. The third annual Victoria Against Violence campaign began last month, challenging the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family violence and violence against women. The campaign ends on International Human Rights Day, December 10. Family violence devastates the lives of so many and affects too many families in Victoria, and Mansfield Shire is playing its part in raising awareness to prevent violence in our community. Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Jill Hennessy, said that the cause is essential to strengthening our communities. Preventing family violence is everybodys business, she said. I encourage all Victorians to join with their local community to put your hand up and go orange to support a Victoria free from violence. Victoria Against Violence is an opportunity for all of us think about and challenge those attitudes and behaviours that drive violence. We all have a role to play in this and thats why Im asking all Victorians to come together and say that violence against women wont be tolerated. Mansfield puts its hands up OVER the last fortnight the Mansfield Shire Council invited members of the local community to put up their hands to end violence, and especially to take up the fight to end violence against women in our society. Expressing solidarity through painting their hands orange, community members, including shire staff, councillors, doctors, nurses and teachers, and many more, heeded the call to advocate for a safer future in our community. Tackling indigenous family violence in Northern Victoria THE State Government is investing in dozens of projects to help Aboriginal people tackle family violence in their communities in Northern Victoria. Aboriginal communities in Northern Victoria will receive more than $200,000 as part of the 2017-18 Indigenous Family Violence Strategy Community Initiatives Fund. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said Northern Victoria projects were recommended by the local Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group that identified priority areas for funding in their community, which would include supporting young Aboriginal women and children. The Labor Government is providing $650,000 in funding for 45 projects across the state that reduce, prevent and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities, she said. The government is implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and delivering a 10-year plan to end family violence for all Victorians, including Aboriginal children and families. The plan includes working in partnership with Aboriginal communities, increased funding for Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Services, and the establishment of a network of Support and Safety Hubs across Victoria. The launch of these projects coincides with the Victoria Against Violence campaign, which is a key part of the UNs orange-themed UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign from November 25 to December 10. Breaking the cycle of Aboriginal family violence must involve local responses led by Aboriginal communities, Ms Symes said. Aboriginal people are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing family violence and less likely to report it, which is why these projects are so important. Addressing family violence is everyones responsibility and these projects will help create a safer Victoria for all Aboriginal children and families. Caption Text: Mansfield Tennis Association Matt Picone Central General Practice John Eisner Sue Shinns Mansfield Secondary College Mel Green and Margaret-Anne Hood Guy Taylor Cr Paul Volkering Alex Green Cr Marg Atley Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.