Has the city's "concerning" attitudes to domestic and family violence changed?
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That's the question Wagga City Council is asking in a survey open to public participation from this week.
In the year to September 2020, there were 508 incidents of domestic violence assaults, according to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report.
Every month, the Riverina Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service receives between 200 and 240 referrals.
In partnership with the Wagga Women's Health Centre, the council has delivered theDVproject:2650, which is now nearing the end of its third year.
It was funded after a 2016 survey conducted by the WWHC found that many community members held low support for gender equality, adhere to rigid or stereotypical gender roles, and hold attitudes and beliefs that justify, excuse, trivialise or minimise domestic violence.
The second survey will be open to the public through March and April and aims to measure if the community's domestic and family violence perceptions have changed in the past five years.
Council's equity project manager Maryna Bilousova said it is essential as many people as possible complete the survey.
"The 2016 findings were very concerning and indicated the priority areas of focus for theDVproject: 2650," she said.
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"The project has focused on organisational change, sector engagement and partnerships and community-wide awareness campaigns across the city.
"We are interested to learn if our project activities have made an impact on people's knowledge and understanding of equity and respect."
Ms Bilousova said the survey takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous.
Emma Broham, manager of the Riverina Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, said she believes there is an increase in people's willingness to report based on theDVproject:2650 as well as efforts made by local police to make it easier for victims.
She added that any future projects need to include conversations around coercive control and how domestic violence is not just about physical actions.
"We know that coercive control is often the most dangerous types of abuse," she said.
"We need education around what it looks like. Anything that our council can do in terms of education and getting the word out in our community is a good thing."
The survey can be completed online at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/dvsurvey.
If reading this story has impacted you in any way, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
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