Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound has flagged that he will convene a community and faith leaders briefing on domestic and family violence.
He said the briefing would provide information about the prevalence and impact of domestic and family violence in Campbelltown, alongside practical actions leaders can take to support prevention within their communities.
“Community and faith leaders hold trusted positions and have an important role in shaping attitudes, challenging behaviours that excuse violence, and helping people access support,’’ Mayor Lound said at last week’s council meeting.
“Through this briefing, I want to equip these leaders to strengthen the prevention message across our city.
“When establishing the (Domestic and Family Violence Prevention) Taskforce, I emphasised that local government has an important role in raising awareness, supporting prevention and helping build a community where violence is never accepted.
“Council’s domestic and family violence action plan, which is also before council at this meeting, provides a further opportunity to strengthen that commitment and guide council’s contribution in this space,’’ he said.
“I commend the staff who have led the development of the plan and the partners whose expertise and input have helped shape it.
I remain committed to leading this work alongside my councillor colleagues, the taskforce and our community partners to help make Campbelltown a safer and more supportive place for everyone.’’
The taskforce was established at the June council meeting.
Mayor Lound told council then that the formation of a taskforce to tackle domestic violence was “in response to the significant impact of domestic and family violence in our city.
“I made clear my commitment to bringing community partners together to strengthen prevention, raise awareness and reinforce a shared message: Campbelltown says no to domestic and family violence,’’ he said.
The taskforce has met regularly and begun translating that commitment into practical action, building on the important work already being undertaken by local services and community organisations.
Last month, Cr Lound joined other councillors, representatives from the NSW Police Force and members of the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee for the taskforce’s first sporting ground activation (pictured above).
“Delivered in partnership with the Macarthur Football Association during its grand final weekend, the activation brought our prevention message directly to local players, families and supporters,’’ he said.
“Across the two days, we engaged with hundreds of community members, shared information and support resources, and held important conversations about domestic and family violence.
“The activation demonstrated the valuable role local sporting organisations can play in promoting respectful relationships and reinforcing that violence has no place in our community.’’
