Wagga’s male leaders will be meeting at the end of the month to discuss how to reduce domestic violence in the region. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Wagga Wagga will become the first council in NSW to hold a Men’s Leadership Forum to help address and reduce the growing number of cases of domestic violence.
In response to community demand, the forum, organised by the Wagga Women’s Health Centre, will rally male community leaders to discuss ways to prevent, and educate men of the community about, domestic and family violence.
Facilitated by trauma and domestic and family violence specialist psychologist Adam Blanch, David Kramer from Small Steps for Hannah and Murrumbidgee Men’s Group Founder Rhys Cummins, the forum is designed to create a community action plan to engage men in providing solutions to family and domestic violence in the region.
The Wagga Women’s Health Centre has organised the forum following conversations with men after the “No More” rally the centre organised in April.
The one-day men only event will take place on Friday 26 July in Oura. The event will create a safe space for up to 150 male leaders from across the community to discuss the challenges, dispel myths and determine tangible actions men can take in their respective leadership positions to orchestrate change.
Attendees will include male leaders across community groups, industry, business, sports, education, and the Australian Defence Force.
Wagga Women’s Health Centre president Vicki Burkinshaw said women were holding the baton of minimising domestic violence and it was time for men to take a stand.
“After the rally in April, Mayor Dallas Tout, came to us [Wagga Women’s Health Centre] saying, ‘What can we do?’
“We feel that this is now a men’s issue; we really want men to step up and our leaders to step up and say, ‘We feel it’s an issue and we’re going to do something about it.'”
Cr Tout said domestic and family violence was an issue he was passionate about addressing and both he and Wagga Wagga City Council would continue to advocate for increased funding for local services.
“It’s time for men to step up and be part of both the conversation and solution on domestic and family violence,” he said.
“Today is a happy but sad day. We shouldn’t be having to have this forum but unfortunately, this is an issue that is a scourge on our community and we need to do something different about it.
“As the first of its kind in Australia, people will be watching and as members of the Wagga community we need to get up, wrap our arms around those who are suffering and say enough is enough.”
Member for the Riverina Michael McCormack and Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr have thrown their support behind the forum, believing it’s the men’s turn to help make a change.
“The elimination of domestic and family violence is an important issue that is above politics,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am so pleased there is unilateral and bipartisan support to help put an end to this terrible scourge in the Riverina and that we are leading community engagement on the issue.”
This forum is by invitation only, however, for men who wish to express interest in attending, please contact Penny Stanbury at the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre by email at [email protected].
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