Wellbeing Page 

As Always...

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Kellie Hewson or Gill Hodgson in Wellbeing on 

ph: 5256 1411 if you would like more information regarding school attendance, or for support within your own family context.

Prevention of Violence Against Women

Surfside Month of Action…

Violence against women is a number of behaviours perpetrated by another person that causes a woman to feel fear. There are many forms of violence against women including physical and sexual abuse; emotional or psychological abuse; financial abuse; stalking or any behaviour that is threatening, forceful or in any way controls or dominates that person.

Violence against women is a common and serious problem in Australia, where around one in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15 years, and almost one in five (19%) has experienced sexual violence. Around 95% of all victims of violence, whether women or men, experience violence from a male perpetrator (ABS 2018).

Violence against women is the biggest cause of ill health and early death in woman ages 15-44, more than any other risk factor, such as high blood pressure, being overweight and smoking.  

Getting help

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing violence and would like further support, contact one of the below organisations:

• 1800RESPECT (National) - 1800 737 732
• The Orange Door (Barwon region) - 1800 312 820
• Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre (Barwon and Wimmera region) - 03 5222 4318

Gender equality prevents violence against women

All genders are not equal in our communities, which means they don’t have the same power, rights or access to things they need to live well and be healthy. We see examples of this in everyday life, like at home, where women are more likely to do jobs around the house even if they do the same amount of paid work as their male partner.

Gender inequality in relationships comes from gender inequality in the community. This is why, to prevent violence against women, we need to create a whole community where everyone is treated equally and with respect.

Our work

From FFF Oct 28 (Our Lanterns light the way) to Kiah Colour Run Nov 24 (kiah is an indigenous word meaning ‘from a beautiful place’

The Wadawarrung work “koling wada-ngal” translates to “Lets Walk Together” this will be our them during the Month of Action. At Surfside we will specifically be looking at the impact of language and be thinking about whether our words bring people together, are supportive and inclusive particularly in the areas of gender, race, culture, age and culture.

We want our words to come ‘from a beautiful place’ with the message that our language is important and brings value to people as individuals and literally works to make Surfside, Ocean Grove community and ultimately our World a safer, more welcoming and more inclusive place to live and grow

During classtime in the lead up to the Fair our students will have the opportunity to make a lantern that will be used the night of the Fresh Food Fair with messages of our commitment to words we can use that create safety for all.

There will be lessons around this theme throughout the month of action during Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Month of Action will finish with the Kiah Colour Run on November 25. Parents will be welcome to join us as the kids participate in the colour run. As usual the students will be asked to bring a white T shirt to school on the day to change into prior to the Colour Run. The Colour Run is a fundraising event for the school. Information will be distributed via the office in the lead up.

We can end violence against women if we all work together

Preventing violence against women means stopping it from happening in the first place. Violence against women happens when we live in a culture where people don’t let women have control or make their own choices, make sexist jokes, think women should only be allowed to do certain jobs, think violence is ok, disrespect others, or where women are not as valued as men.

By changing these things we can create a community where women and men are equal, relationships are based on respect, and violence against women is never ok. We need to make sure the change happens everywhere, including workplaces, schools, sporting clubs, and other places where people come together.

Gill Hodgson/ Kellie Hewson