Let’s Chat Gippsland; conversations create change

All women and girls deserve to be respected, valued and treated as equals.

This 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service and South Gippsland Hospital are partnering with Gippsland Women’s Health to deliver one clear message: Let’s Chat about creating a Gippsland where all women and girls are respected, valued and treated as equals.

Let’s Chat Gippsland is a regional campaign with the central concept of ‘conversations to create change’ and aims to support people to have important conversations about gender equality and respect in relationships. Through conversations, we have the potential to influence attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.

Let’s Chat Gippsland invites the community to be involved in conversations where they are able to learn more, challenging their existing beliefs and ask questions to better their understanding about gender equality and respect.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence; November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through to December 10 (Human Rights Day), Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service and South Gippsland Hospital will be posting on social media, supporting the conversation about gender equality and respect in relationships.

Accord to data from the most recent National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS), in Gippsland and across Australia, concerning attitudes and beliefs about gender equality and violence towards women still exist. 

The data found one in five Australians would not be bothered if a male friend told a sexist joke about women.

It also showed that a concerning proportion of Australians believe that gender inequality is exaggerated or no longer a problem.

According to the Crime Statistics Agency the Bass Coast Family Violence incidents’ rate at June 2021 was 967, up 31 per cent on the previous year.

Similarly, the South Gippsland rate was up 30.4 per cent from the previous year, at 532.

The campaign theme of “Let’s Chat” seeks to remind people that social and attitude change starts with a simple conversation.

People across Gippsland are encouraged to start a conversation, whether it be with their family, friends, colleagues, students or neighbours.

Gippsland Women’s Health (GWH), as the lead organisation for prevention of violence against women in Gippsland, work collaboratively with more than 27 partner organisations that have been involved in the Let’s Chat Gippsland campaign design and delivery, including community and social support services, local shires and councils, Victorian Department of Education, police, local media outlets, health services and faith-based organisations.

To explore events and activities happening in your area, visit the Let’s Chat website www.16daysgippsland.com.au

If you are in a violent or unsafe situation or know someone who is experiencing violence, contact: Safe Steps 1800 015 188, 1800 Respect (National Sexual Assault, Family Violence Counselling) or 1800 737 732 Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault.

Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.