Jewish community to walk against family violence

At least 20 Jewish community organisations are coming together for the Walk Against Family Violence at Caulfield Park on Friday, November 28.

The Walk Against Family Violence is an annual state-wide event held in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. It kicks off the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Family violence impacts all communities including the Australian Jewish community. It can include physical, financial, emotional, religious and systems abuse. In Australia, on average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner. Family violence is a major health and welfare issue which can inflict physical injury, psychological trauma and emotional suffering as well as contribute to illness and homelessness.

At Jewish Care Victoria, a third of all referrals to its social work team relate to some form of abusive behaviour – coercive control, financial abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, or physical abuse. Jewish Care Victoria is currently working with 120 clients (individuals and families) relating to family violence.

Jewish Care Victoria said, “This year we will walk to give voice to all victims experiencing violence and to acknowledge that violence has no place in our community and that we all have a part to play in preventing it.”