This week at Northern Health we are marking Week Without Violence (WWV). WWV is a global campaign to end violence against women. WWV provides information on how to recognise and prevent violence, reach out to survivors, and make a difference in the community.

Since 1999, the northern metropolitan region has had a proud history of participation in the WWV and this year marks the 20^th Anniversary.

Natasha Knapic, Project Officer Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence, says that almost 50 organisations in the northern metropolitan region are planning to run WWV activities this week, with the majority planning a Clothesline Project.

The Clothesline Project is a popular WWV activity for women and their supporters to participate in.

The Clothesline Project originated in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1990 when members of Cape Cod’s Women’s Defense Agenda learned that during the same time 58,000 soldiers were killed in the Vietnam War, 51,000 U.S. women were killed by the men who claimed to love them.

The mission of The Clothesline Project is to educate students and the community that violence is a problem everywhere, help is available and that there is hope and a path to healing.

Natasha would like to remind us that one in six Australian women over the age of 15 has experienced physical or sexual violence and/or emotional abuse by an intimate partner and that family violence is serious, prevalent and preventable.

The Clothesline Project is a stark reminder that domestic violence exists in our community – and gives voice to those who have been forcibly silenced.

“Hopefully, it will also stir us to action,” adds Natasha.

For more information on how you can support Week Without Violence click here.