LIBERTY Church has joined the chorus of community advocates raising awareness of domestic violence, but in its own unique and spiritual way.
Friday night’s Cheese for Change event sparked conversation and brainstorming in the church as the wider community gathered for the White Ribbon fundraiser.
Raising over $1000 for White Ribbon and the church’s You Are Not Alone project, event coordinator Belinda Tilley said domestic violence prevention was seen as an importance to God.
“Our motivation is similar to the scripture, ‘do not look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others,” Ms Tilley said.
“Last year when a Mount Gambier woman was killed from domestic violence, we wanted to not just go to the vigil but actually do something.
“This is our way of becoming involved and giving back.”
Ms Tilley said the men involved in the church were “amazingly” supportive of the initiative, which had been questioned by some whether it was a female-only event.
“Domestic violence is not just a female problem, it is a community problem,” Ms Tilley said.
“We made a statement and just want to show we care.
“We want to become involved in the community and our church slogan is Welcome Home so we try and be as welcoming and accommodating as possible in everything we do.”
Limestone Coast Family Violence Action Group chairperson and Victims Support Services South East victim support coordinator Sonya Mezinec said the event was just one way to educate people on the issue while also raising funds for support.
“Preventing domestic violence is an area we need to address more than we do,” she said.
“If we are going to prevent violence then we need to look at men’s behaviour.
“Even though people say women are violent too, from what we know is that most of the violence is perpetrated by men.”
Ms Mezinec said if people want to prevent violence, people’s attitudes also need to be examined.
“The form of violence is really about power and control and attitudes of where women sit in society and where they see their roles,” she said.
“It is not just about physical violence it is also about verbal, psychological, financial and all forms of violence which are not often as visible.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and live as they wish.”
Ms Mezinec said events similar to Cheese for Change help raise awareness, but other strategies can be implemented too.
“In the mid 70’s the first shelter was opened in the Limestone Coast for women to flee violence,” she said.
“And here we are almost 40 years later with not much of a difference.
“We need to look at pushing for change and examining the source of the violence.”
