Bendigo to be focus of violence prevention efforts

Prominent speakers and thinkers from across the violence prevention field will be in Bendigo for the Violence Prevention – It’s Everybody’s Business conference at the All Seasons Hotel from Tuesday.

The three day conference, funded through the Reducing Violence against Women and their Children grants program, part of the state government Community Crime Prevention Program, will explore what violence looks like, how it can be prevented and highlight that it is everybody’s business.

The aim of the conference is to influence attitudes and help devise a regional plan for the prevention of violence against women and children in the Loddon Mallee.

Keynote speakers include Our Watch chief executive Paul Linossier, No to Violence acting chief executive Rodney Vlais, Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay, author and activist Phil Cleary, Dr Gael Jennings from the Centre for Advancing Journalism and writer Clementine Ford.

Panelists during the event include Rosie Batty, who lost her son Luke at the hands of his father, Domestic Violence Victoria chief executive Fiona McCormack, Deakin University chair of social work Bob Pease and White Ribbon chief executive Libby Davies.

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Linda Beilharz said the organisation was honoured to be hosting the conference.

“We plan to increase the knowledge and strengthen relationships with those in Loddon Mallee and beyond who are attending and  personally regard this important work as ‘their business’,’’ she said.

“The conference does indeed intend to be a catalyst for action to eliminate violence against women and to raise awareness of violence prevention approaches.”

 Ms Beilharz said that to prevent violence against women, we “need to change attitudes and we all have a role to play in doing this’’.

“We are bringing together prominent thinkers and speakers from the sector so that the people from Loddon Mallee who attend the conference can go back to their communities and act as catalysts for change having the most current and quality information available,’’ she said.

“The conference is intended to reach a broad and diverse group of people from both regional and metropolitan centres to be a catalyst for action to eliminate violence against women, and raise awareness of violence prevention approaches.

“Preventing violence against women (or family violence) is the responsibility of the whole community and requires a shared understanding of effective ways of influencing change.’’

ROSIE BATTY SAYS VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS ROSIE Batty speaks of a grief that comes in waves. Waves that first crashed like an angry ocean, and did their best to pull her under. They’re now rolling a little more gently – though like the ocean, will remain an unpredictable constant.

VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS ACHIEVABLE: Phil Cleary writes that everybody can help end domestic violence.

LEADING THE WAY IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION  Mick Talbot steps up to the plate in tackling family violence

FIRE SERVICE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE Mike Wassing says domestic violence is everybody's business

TURNING THE TIDE ON VIOLENCE  Violence prevention conference calling on all leaders

PAUL HAMILTON SPEAKS OUT  AFL denounces violence against women.

AMBITIOUS PLAN TO TACKLE FAMILY VIOLENCE  Our Watch chief executive talks about preventing domestic violence

For more information on the conference, visit https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/78304