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The KAEVAW identifies Knox as a community that affirms respect for all women and for their right to perform within their chosen roles and be recognised as full and equal participants in all domains, be they social, political, economic, or cultural. The KAEVAW signifies that the community of the City of Knox:
(a) opposes all forms of violence and violence against women in particular;
(b) acknowledges and supports existing policies, approaches and services that respond to violence when it occurs; and,
(c) is committed to developing local strategies and policies to prevent violence, and respond effectively to violence when it occurs.
The City of Knox has a growing number of community members who have taken an oath to ‘not commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women’ (WRC Pledge). As a community we emphasise the destructiveness and criminality of all forms of violence against women and resolve to hold to account perpetrators of violence.
The KAEVAW recognises Knox Council, Victorian, Australian and International policy and strategic documents relevant to preventing and responding to violence against women (Appendix Two). Violence against women is identified as being first and foremost a violation of human rights as enshrined in International Human Rights law, such as the UN Declaration of the Elimination of violence against women (DEVAW) 1993 of which Australia is a signatory. A list of local services that respond to violence against women are included in Appendix Three.
The full text of the Knox Accord to End Violence against Women (KAEVAW) has been designed to reflect and compliment international, national, state and local policies and vision documents, and has been developed in consultation with numerous organisations, community groups and members of the City of Knox.
The full text of the Knox Accord to End Violence against Women (KAEVAW) is as follows:
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land the Wurundgeri people and pay respects to the elders of the Kulin nations, past and present.
The supporters of the Knox Accord to End Violence Against Women,
In recognition of international human rights enshrined in international law, and adopted by the United Nations to the ends of upholding the equality of all and prohibiting all forms of violence against women,
Noting the former UN Secretary General’s position that ‘violence against women has yet to receive the priority attention and resources needed at all levels to tackle it with the seriousness and visibility necessary’ (2006 A/61/122/Add,1),
In recognition of the Commonwealth Constitution Act 1900 and all subsequent laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, under Part V (section 51) developed for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth,
In recognition of the Victorian Constitution Act 1975 and all Victorian State Government laws since passed by the Parliament of Victoria and given Royal Assent by the Governor of Victoria,
Noting the Partnerships Against Domestic Violence, the National Initiative to Combat Sexual Assault, the ongoing Women’s Safety Strategy and the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing violence against women through efforts focused on the themes of prevention, health, justice, and services;
Noting the Victorian Government’s Women’s Safety Strategy, and focus of addressing violence against women as outlined in A Fairer Victoria: Creating Opportunity and Addressing Disadvantage;
Noting the Reforming the Family Violence System in Victoria: Report of the State-wide Steering Committee to reduce Family Violence, the Victorian Law Reform Commission Review of Family Violence, the Draft Family Violence Bill and the combined resultant changes to the Justice system,
In recognition of the changes in the Victorian Policing of violence against women as reflected in the Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence,
In recognition of the Knox City Council status as a local council and therefore a ‘distinct and essential tier of government’ recognised under the Constitution Act 1975 (Section 74) which states that democratically elected councils are to ‘ensure the peace, order and good government of each municipal district’,
Supporting the direction as set by the Knox Vision 2025: Council and Community, A Partnership in Progress, particularly the direction relevant to combating violence against women including the aim to increase Social and Environmental Responsibility, and to promote Healthy Connected Communities so that Knox is a safe place to live and everyone is safe in their homes and in public spaces,
Concerned that the criminality of violence against women is often overlooked, that perpetrators of violence are inconsistently held to account, and that despite the number, the depth and breadth of laws and policies, extensive male violence against women continues to occur,
Alarmed that gender based violence has specific impact upon the girl-child, and that violence within families has harmful impacts upon children, female and male.
Convinced that strengthening of community opposition to violence against women, the amplification of this expressed opposition, and the development of local strategies and efficient local responses to violence against women, will significantly reduce its occurrence,
Drawing attention to violence against women as being a tool for domination and subjugation, a barrier to full and equal participation with men in political, social, economic and cultural life, an obstacle to the health and wellbeing of families and community members, a challenge to economic progress, and a contravention of the enshrined equality of rights and respect for human dignity,
Emphasising that women and men are not opposites, and that addressing sexism, inequality and beliefs that polarise the sexes and devalue women generally is key to ending violence against women, Aware that changes in popular discourses of masculinity and femininity and in the traditional views of male and female gender roles is needed to promote equality and reduce male violence against women,
In remembrance of those women whose lives have been violently ended, of those women who have survived, and of those women and men who have sought to achieve equality, equity, respect, and peaceful non-violent co-existence,
Motivated and collectively agreed to support the Agreement Statements outlined, the impetus of the Knox Accord to End Violence against Women (KAEVAW), and to adopt the actions necessary to ending violence against women in all of its forms and expressions.
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