One in three Australian women over the age of 15 has experienced physical or sexual violence and/or emotional abuse by an intimate partner. One in four women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner. One in five women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.

Family violence is a crime that is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and children. It is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. It is serious, prevalent and preventable.

Northern Health recognises that family violence is a health issue and is committed to improving response to family violence for our patients and our staff. Northern Health is only the second health service in Victoria to be awarded White Ribbon Accreditation.

This week is Week Without Violence (WWV), a global campaign to end violence against women.  Join the movement by visiting our foyer at Northern Hospital Epping and participating in our Clothesline Project.

The Clothesline Project is a popular WWV activity for women and their supporters to participate in. The concept is simple – each participant expresses their feelings of support or commitment to end family violence, using words and artwork to paint on a t-shirt. Once finished, the participant hangs the t-shirt on a clothesline – in this case, in our foyer.

Natasha Knapic, Project Officer, Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence, said, “I am proud to report that last week at the 2018 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, Northern Health won the award for ‘Whole-of-hospital model for responding to family violence’.

“A Week Without Violence builds on this message. You can join the team by decorating a t-shirt with a message of hope and donating toiletry items to assist our community experiencing family violence. Visit our page, Week Without Violence, on the intranet for more details.”