Glenorchy City Council in Tasmania is taking a strong stand against domestic violence, instituting a special initiative to encourage cultural change within the Council and the city generally.
The Domestic PEACE (People Engaging in Action to Change Environments) initiative is a progressive, whole-of-council, approach to increasing understanding within the organisation of family and domestic violence.
Its introduction follows a Council Resolution taken in September 2015 to say NO to family violence and acknowledge the good work being done by organisations in Glenorchy to support those experiencing family violence.
General Manager Peter Brooks said the Glenorchy City Council recognised combatting family and domestic violence as a priority and was commencing its effort in-house.
“Our Executive Leadership Team has agreed to support an organisational response to family and domestic violence and progress the development of a comprehensive primary prevention approach specifically targeting respect and gender equity,” Mr Brooks said.
“Council has formally resolved to recognise family and domestic violence as a priority and engage in initiatives such as ‘White Ribbon’ and ‘Our Watch’.
“The Council will also write to the Premier to pledge support for the implementation of ‘Safe Homes, Safe Families’ the Tasmanian Family Violence Action Plan.”
Council’s Director Corporate Governance & General Counsel, Seva Iskandarli said the Council’s goal is to be a leader in this area and importantly, Family and Domestic Violence Leave has been included in an Enterprise Agreement 2016 covering all staff members.
“Under this provision Council has agreed to introduce 10 new days of additional paid leave for employees who are impacted by family and domestic violence.
“This is in line with Council’s view that all families should live in safety, free from all forms of domestic violence and we hope that it sets a positive example to other organisations within Glenorchy and beyond to consider, discuss and commit to this important issue in our community,” said Ms Seva Iskandarli.
Council is partnering with White Ribbon Australia, the Can Do Community family violence initiative and Council’s Safer Communities Committee.
It will be the first Council in Tasmania to have all staff achieve White Ribbon E-Learning accreditation, giving them skills and understanding to assist in dealing with domestic violence issues.
“Through our Domestic PEACE initiative the Council will continue to be involved in activities to promote positive messages to prevent family violence in our city and across Tasmania.
“Council’s Domestic PEACE Team, Janina Gauden, Sally King, Craig Anderson, Jill Sleiters, Lisa Rudd, Dionne Berry and myself are currently working on launching White Ribbon Day locally on 24 November and we are proud and excited to be associated with such an important event,” said Ms Seva Iskandarli.
Safer Communities Development Officer, Lisa Rudd said Council was supporting community engagement and awareness programs, such as White Ribbon Day, to raise the profile of primary prevention.
“Glenorchy’s program was promoted at the recent Local Government Association of Tasmania General Managers’ meeting where more than 20 General Managers from councils across Tasmania were briefed on the initiative.”
