OPINION: The Walk Against Family Violence should be an opportunity to recognise the impact on all victims and survivors of domestic and family violence – especially children and young people.
With the Federal Government now committing to seeing children and young people as victims/survivors in their own right, it seems that the opportunity for local council to do the same has not been considered.
Mildura has the third highest rates of domestic and family violence in the state, and I speak for all children and young people, when I say we are sick of being overlooked and left out of the picture.
Children and young people are the answer to preventing all forms of violence. Our lived experience matters and deserves to be recognised and respected by all levels of government.
I implore the council to reconsider future arrangements and include the diverse voices of lived experience when planning such events. The voice of all lived experience is profound and belongs at the decision-making table. Don’t do things for us, do things with us.
– Conor Paul is a family violence survivor, and was this year named Victoria’s Young Achiever of the Year.
