Community says no

Jewish community organisations marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday by calling for an end to gendered violence and the release of the 13 female Israeli hostages captive in Gaza.

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) president Lynda Ben-Menashe called for “an end to the epidemic of violence against women in this country, where in 2024, one is murdered every four days, most commonly at the hands of an ex-partner”, as well as “a stronger commitment by government to policies and programs that prevent violence against women and hold perpetrators accountable”.

Ben-Menashe called for the release of Israeli hostages and for “women’s organisations to stand with us in our fight against silence and denial of the gendered violence against our Jewish sisters”.

In addition, NCJWA called for the end of sexual violence as tool of war and persecution in Nigeria, Ukraine, Myanmar, South Sudan, Iran and Afghanistan.

To mark its significance, NCJWA held events in Melbourne and Sydney with speakers including Peta Credlin, Julie McCrossin, Professor Jennifer Westacott, Dr Teresa Pirola and Gemma Tognini, as part of the “Say No to Antisemitism” campaign. NCJWA also hosted a webinar with Kylie Moore-Gilbert on Monday, who discussed her imprisonment in Iran.

In Melbourne, a large crowd led by 15 organisations came together at Caulfield Park on November 22 to support the Jewish community annual Walk Against Gender-Based Violence. Previously known as the “Walk Against Family Violence”, the new title acknowledges all forms of violence against women including the sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated on October 7 and the plight of Israeli hostages.

Jewish Care Victoria ‘s Cassandra Barrett said, “Violence against women takes many forms, of which the most common by far is family violence. While anyone can experience family violence, it is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and children.

“There is a perception that family violence doesn’t occur in the Jewish community – but that couldn’t be further from the truth.” Last year, 115 women sought support for family violence through Jewish Care Victoria.

Similarly, JewishCare NSW’s Warren Hurst said, “Domestic and family violence can affect anyone in the Jewish community. JewishCare NSW offers a free, safe and confidential space where you can seek support. This year alone we have supported over 45 cases within our local Jewish community who have been impacted by domestic violence in some way.”

Jewish Care Victoria: 8517 5999

JewishCare NSW: 1300 133 660

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up