A CONFRONTING project focused on domestic violence is on display at Chisholm TAFE’s campus in Frankston.
The student initiated ‘Counting Women’ T-Shirt Project, has a T-shirt for each woman in Australia murdered by a partner or ex-partner this year.
Each T-shirt lists the woman’s name and details where possible and is accompanied with relevant newspaper articles and a blackboard updated with the current death toll, 78 in 2015.
Chisholm group coordinator of community services Dr Ilsa Evans said the project had been a pivotal assignment for Diploma of Community Services students.
“Highlighting this topical issue is of critical importance to all members of our community and we see family violence not just a personal issue – but a community one,” Dr Evans said.
“We want this project to be an important representation of this serious topic and ensure our community understands the impact it causes”.
The project was started after Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, visited Chisholm TAFE’s Time to Change community forum to discuss family violence.
The students aim to use research from Destroy The Joint, an online community for gender equality, to maintain the display as an ongoing visual representation of domestic violence.
Last Wednesday (25 November) was White Ribbon Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness to stop men’s violence against women in Australia where more than one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner.
Anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for counselling and help. Call 000 in an emergency.
First published in the Mornington News – 1 December 2015
