Football commentator and former Federal MP Phil Cleary speaks at the Cardinia Casey Family Violence Forum.INSPIRATIONAL speakers and leading experts kept more than 200 people on the edge of their seats at a forum on family violence.
And, at the end of the day, they were made more aware and understood more about an issue that affects one in five Australian families.
The City of Casey hosted the forum, in partnership with the Cardinia Shire and Victoria Police.
Jennie Lee, Casey’s director of community services, said no local community was immune from family violence.
“While family violence affects people from all cultural, social and economic backgrounds, for women it is the leading cause of death, disability and illness for those aged 15 to 44,” she said.
“This frightening fact means all levels of government, industry workers and people in the community must work together to address what has become a significant health issue and cost to Australian society.”
Phil Cleary, football commentator and former Federal MP, acted as master of ceremonies and spoke passionately about the death of his sister in a violent, domestic crime.
Other inspirational speakers included Kate O’Callaghan, a former victim and now awareness educator; Judith Pierce, former family violence commissioner with the Law Reform Commission, and Noreen Toohey, family violence court magistrate.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Leigh Gassner, police family violence adviser Sergeant Lynette Flynn, and Janice Peterson, general manager of the leading family violence support service WAYSS, also spoke.
Speakers discussed a range of interventions and workshops, and addressed a broad spectrum of issues that constituted family violence.
The forum also showcased a variety of local services that helped victims.
Ms Lee said there was a strong local network to support victims of family violence, and that people should be encouraged to seek help.
“If someone is in fear of their safety, they should call the police directly.
“The police can link them to other support services in their community to help with crisis housing, counselling and other information,” Ms Lee said.
Other helpful services in the Casey community included the Casey North Community Information and Support Service on 9705 6699, and the Cranbourne Information and Support Service on 5996 3333.
Community legal services also offer free appointments and can help with intervention orders and preparation for court appearances.
Casey Cardinia Legal Service operates in Narre Warren where appointments can be made on 9793 1993, or call the Peninsula Legal Service in Cranbourne on 9783 3600.
