By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
THE statistics are shocking.
Every day, two to four incidences of family violence are recorded in Cardinia Shire.
That’s a 5 per cent jump from the 2013-2014 figure.
Cardinia has the second highest rate of recorded family incidences in the southern metropolitan region, and the third highest rate of the 11 interface councils.
Several organisations have identified men’s violence against women as one of the most important issues affecting communities.
Recognising this, a group of male leaders within Cardinia Shire have recently come together to form the Cardinia Challenge Group – Preventing Men’s Violence Against Women.
The group will work for the prevention of men’s violence against women by raising awareness and taking action within the community.
All members have undertaken preventing violence against women training to ensure that they can recognise the issue and understand the important role they play in changing attitudes and behaviours.
On Friday 13 November they held their first meeting at Outlook to canvas ideas on how to reach out to the community and support other men who may wish to participate.
Members of the group include CEO of Outlook Tony Fitzgerald, Bass MP Brian Paynter, Cardinia Shire representatives Stephen Sparrow and Andrew Binks, Star News Group editor Garry Howe, YMCA representative Matt Spencer, Cardinia Shire councillor and serving police officer Brett Owen, police representative Ray Dereus, Shaun Connell of the South East Juniors Football League and Peter Smith of the Kooweerup Regional Business Group.
They aim to use their influence to encourage other men to take a stand.
