By MELISSA MEEHAN
Community stand to prevent family violence…
THE Monbulk community will stand together against family violence this week as Monbulk Respect is launched on Wednesday night.
Monbulk Respect is a family violence prevention project aimed at creating and delivering a family violence prevention message with the community of Monbulk, using the mediums of film and song.
Dandenong Ranges Music Council spokeswoman and organiser Sue Clisby said the project had received strong support from all groups of the community as well as the Department of Justice Community Crime Prevention Program.
“Everyone has been really behind this,” Ms Clisby said.
“In the film, we had Monbulk CWA, Monbulk RSL, Monbulk CFA, Monbulk Ranges Soccer Club, Monbulk Secondary College, Monbulk Business Network, Monbulk Football and Netball Club.”
She said that those who viewed the short film, created by Joshua Collings, would feature local people in locally recognisable places.
“We’ve got footy players on the interchange bench, people outside the RSL, it really shows how local it is,” she said.
“And the song, created by Carolyn Oates, combines all those messages. “
Monbulk Sergeant Mark Knight will lead and take the White Ribbon oath on Wednesday, which is also White Ribbon Day.
“Mark has been really important for this project,” Ms Clisby said.
“Police are important stakeholders in family violence and there is a strong symbolism when the local sergeant takes the oath.”
Sgt Knight said he was pleased to get involved in the program.
“We, as police, see a number of Family Violence disputes in our area and those surrounding us,” Sgt Knight said.
“It’s important that we, as local police get involved in something like this, that we make a stand.”
An art exhibition and live performance from family violence survivors will also be shown.
Monbulk Living and Learning Centre, 5pm-7pm Wednesday 26 November.
For more information see WWW.MONBULKRESPECT.WEEBLY.COM
