Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much
For the past 10 years, Mums of the Hills has been working to reduce the social isolation experienced by mums in and around the Yarra Ranges. But for those living with partner violence, isolation isn’t just accidental — it’s often deliberate. Perpetrators frequently use control and isolation to cut their partners off from friends, family, and community networks. This leaves people without safe connections, limits their access to help, and increases their vulnerability.
Partner violence is when one partner physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and/or financially abuses the other. It can happen in any type of relationship — married, de facto, dating, separated or divorced.
On Sunday, August 10, our community was reminded that it isn’t immune to partner violence with the devastating murder of a woman at the hands of an individual known to her. As a result, Mums of the Hills has collaborated with Single Mums of the Hills and Mountain Men on a joint statement calling our community to say, ENOUGH. This has to end.
We are calling on individuals, clubs, groups, businesses and organisations to join us.
What we are asking?
We are primarily asking individuals, clubs, groups, businesses and organisations to please share our joint statement on your public social media pages to show your support.
Primary Prevention for Leaders in our Community
The aim of primary prevention is to prevent violence from occurring in the first place through initiatives that target the entire population and within all settings, including education, workplaces, politics, and community.
Primary prevention approaches have been used successfully in Australia in the public health sector for issues like road safety and smoking, and we know that using similar approaches can help to prevent partner violence in the future.
For community leaders, clubs, groups, businesses and organisations determined to make a difference in our community, Mums of the Hills is providing 3Rs Training (Recognise, Respond and Refer). Review or develop your policies and build the capacity of people leaders within your groups, clubs or workplaces to know their role in preventing partner violence.
Will your Club, Group, Business or Organisation help lead a cultural change?
Other Ways to Take Action
We know that not everyone feels comfortable taking direct action, and that’s okay.
There are many ways to contribute to preventing partner violence, and every effort — big or small — matters.
If you’d like to be involved, here are some suggestions to get started. We’ll keep updating this list as new ways to act become available. Together, every step we take strengthens our community’s stand against violence.
Take the pledge
Join others in committing to raising awareness and creating safer spaces. When you pledge, you’ll need to consider what actions you will be taking. Share the pledge wording provided to you however you wish (social media or email) and be sure to include the actions you’ll take personally.
By taking a public stand against partner violence, we challenge one of the key drivers of isolation that affects individuals, families, and entire communities.
Donate Locally or Nationally
Mums of the Hills is raising funds for LoveBites, the premier program run by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to ensure that every Australian teenager has access to high-quality, respectful relationship education.
Other organisations include Thread Together, Safe+Equal, White Ribbon, and the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation.
Learn and share
Read up on the signs partner violence and share information within your networks. You can find information here:
Here are some articles to help you get started:
As a community, we want to stand together to prevent partner violence in our community and communities around Australia. Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.