Hilltops Takes Stand Against Domestic And Family Violence

Residents from across Hilltops took a stand against domestic and family violence on Paint the Hilltops Purple Day, Friday, November 22.

Organised by Hilltops Against Family and Domestic Violence, the event raised awareness and encouraged community members to help change the record on domestic and family violence, by donning purple clothes and adding purple items and decorations to shopfronts, homes, and more.

Paint the Hilltops Purple Day, a community-led initiative, was an important step in the fight for greater access to family supports, crisis accommodation and longterm care to help prevent violence and keep people safe.

Young Crisis Accommodation Centre (YCAC) and Margaret House Refuge are two organisations firmly on the front lines of what is a crisis of violence across the Hilltops.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined the stand. “Domestic violence is a devastating issue that affects individuals and families across our Cootamundra electorate, and I am acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by our rural and regional communities,” Ms Cooke said.

“Tragically, the Hilltops region has one of the highest levels of domestic-violence related assaults across South-Eastern New South Wales. The work of YCAC and Margaret House Refuge and their team of volunteers are truly saving lives. Education, early intervention and access to timely services are key components needed to address the root causes of violence. It is also important that we continue to break the silence surrounding domestic violence by encouraging open conversations and offering safe spaces for survivors to seek help.”

Ms Cooke said that further funding was needed to meet the growing need of emergency assistance and crisis accommodation providers like YCAC and Margaret House, with plenty of work still to be done to provide urgent housing solutions for members of the Cootamundra community.

“I look forward to working with my Parliamentary colleagues on both a state and federal level, to continue advocating for further funding to these crucial services in our community,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our region’s remoteness can often create extra barriers to accessing vital services, but we are determined to ensure that no one is left behind, and I will continue fighting for our Cootamundra community to have access to the services that keep women, children, young people and men safe and empowered to make the best possible decisions for their lives.”

Anyone experiencing domestic or family violence can access:

• Domestic Violence Line (NSW on 1800 656 463;
• National Counselling Service for sexual assault, domestic and family violence on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732);
• Lifeline on 131 113, with a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line; and
• 13YARN, available on 139 276

• Topics:

• Living and Lifestyle
• Domestic & Family Violence