A Campbelltown Mayoral Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Taskforce will be established to boost the fight against one of our society’s biggest social problems.
Mayor Darcy Lound outlined the plans at last night’s council meeting, which voted to support setting up a domestic violence taskforce.
“Domestic and family violence remains one of the most serious and devastating social issues affecting families and communities across Australia,’’ the mayor told council.
“Here in Campbelltown, recent incidents within our community have underlined the profound impact that domestic and family violence has on people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.
“The impacts of these tragic events are felt across the entire community, causing lasting harm to individuals, families, neighbours and friends,’’ he said.
Mayor Lound acknowledged the “significant and sustained work’’ that has already been undertaken across the Campbelltown Local Government Area to support domestic and family violence prevention, awareness and response.
“Leaders from across the community should be commended for their tireless efforts to raise awareness, support those directly impacted, and promote safety and respect within our community.
“As community leaders, local government has an important role to play in promoting awareness, supporting prevention initiatives, and fostering a culture where violence is never accepted.
“Campbelltown is a diverse, growing and caring community and our residents expect us to demonstrate leadership on issues that affect wellbeing and safety.
“To demonstrate our commitment to this important cause, I propose the establishment of the Campbelltown Mayoral Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Taskforce,’’ he said.
While the terms of reference for the taskforce will be developed as part of the process of establishing it, Mayor Lound said it would provide a “platform for collaboration, advocacy, education and community engagement aimed at preventing domestic and family violence and promoting respectful relationships, supporting a safer Campbelltown for all’’.
“It will build on the critical existing work taking place, including that of the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee, complementing existing messaging that raises awareness of domestic and family violence, supporting prevention initiatives, and delivering clear and consistent messaging that Campbelltown says no to domestic and family violence,’’ he said in commending the taskforce to councillors.