Melton and Moorabool councils have welcomed the state government’s decision to provide $200,000 to the Municipal Association of Victoria to help prevent violence against women.
The grant will enable MAV, which works with 79 councils, to continue to promote gender equality within the councils and their communities.
Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell stressed the importance of an “initiative that addresses the scourge of violence in the community” and urged women to reach out to support services when necessary.
“I’m here as a community leader to say once is too much,” Cr Tatchell said. “It’s never OK.”
In the year to July, Victoria Police responded to more than 63,500 family violence incidents, with the real figure suspected to be higher.
Melton has the seventh-highest family violence rate in Victoria. The reported rate is 12.3 for every 1000 people, compared to 9.1 across Victoria and 2.5 in Moorabool.
Melton’s acting community planning manager, Kate Waters, said the funding would enable councils to address the root causes of the issue.
“Council welcomes the decision as it supports our commitment to preventing violence against women and, in particular, addresses the under- lying causes of violence against women,” Ms Waters said.
