From the Office of the Mayor

JT:COM123
9 November 2015

Dear Monash Sports Club

PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINS WOMEN BANNERS INSTALLED ON CITY OF MONASH RESERVES
I am pleased to advise that banners promoting Councils campaign to prevent violence against
women and promote gender equality and respect have been installed at the reserve used by your
club. Our aim is to raise awareness of violence against women and highlight the important role your
sports clubs can play in preventing violence against women.
Violence against women is extremely prevalent in Australia, with one in three Australian women
experiencing violence since the age of 15. Intimate partner violence is more damaging to the health
of Victorian women aged between 15 and 44 than any other well-known risk factors, including high
blood pressure, obesity and smoking. While violence against women is serious and pervasive, it is
preventable.
Our message Say NO to violence against women, say YES to equality and respect draws the link
between gender inequality as an underlying cause of violence against women. Addressing this and
other underlying causes can prevent violence against women from occurring in the first place. In
order to prevent violence against women, we need to promote gender equality and respectful
relationships between males and females at all levels in our community.
Sports clubs like yours play a vital role in strengthening local communities and creating inclusive and
welcoming environments for all members of the Monash community, including women and girls. To
play your part in this campaign, Monash Council will send you copies of posters with information
about a national family violence and sexual assault support service 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Council would greatly appreciate you placing these posters on the back of cubicle doors in male,
female and accessible toilets at your reserve. This will ensure club members and guests, who may
need support services, are able to access this information.
Violence against women is everyones business and it requires a whole of community response. We
thank you for your support on this important initiative. If you have any questions or enquiries about
this campaign, please contact Jane Torney on 9518 3269 or email JaneT@monash.vic.gov.au.
Yours sincerely

CR PAUL KLISARIS
Mayor