Central Coast Council is once again working with the NSW Police Force, the Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Waters Liquor Accords, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and high-profile authors to start important conversations about domestic abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Central Coast has the second-highest number of domestic violence assaults in NSW* and the impact of COVID-19 has made seeking help more difficult. Our region is also overrepresented in breaches of apprehended violence orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said it is more important than ever for all community members to play a role in ending violence against women. \u201cWe can all play a part by becoming \u2018active bystanders who say no to abuse and report abuse if we see it or hear it\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo mark White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, we will be working with our partners to rollout important education campaigns across November and December,\u201d Ms Vaughan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018See Something, Do Something\u2019 campaign encourages people who witness any form of abuse or violence to act. NSW Police tell us that domestic assaults go underreported and it is important to remember that the health and safety of others is everyone\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to address the impact of COVID-19-lockdowns and whilst restrictions were necessary to control the spread of the virus and keep us all safe, this however, has meant that women and child who experience domestic abuse were and continue to be exposed to spending more time with their perpetrators at home, creating further barriers of not being able to report the abuse**.\u201d Ms Vaughan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Council Administrator, Rik Hart said we must break the \u2018it\u2019s not my problem paralysis\u2019 and take an active role in the solution in order to make the Central Coast a safe place for us all to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe campaign provides practical tools to empower people to report domestic abuse \u2013 if it is an emergency or life-threatening situation to call Triple 000 or local Police or to provide crime information (it can be done in confidence) call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000,\u201d Mr Hart said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCouncil is proud to be collaborating with local Police, the Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Waters Liquor Accords, Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee and high-profile authors to deliver this important message.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initiatives featured as part of this year\u2019s campaign include a video to remind people about the importance of reporting, a relaunch of the powerful Be an active bystander: See something, do something<\/a> video (available on YouTube), town centre banners, radio ads, social media, and free face masks featuring the message Say No to Abuse will be available through Liquor Accord outlets and Council libraries from 19 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n