Aretha Franklin called for it the 1960s hit, Respect, and a Sunshine law firm is hoping to drive the same message home: all relationships should be respectful and free from violence.
About 50 people attended a ‘respectful relationships’ breakfast and forum hosted by Maurice Blackburn lawyers on May 7. The diners were all aiming to promote awareness of what a healthy, respectful relationship means.
A lawyer with Maurice Blackburn in Sunshine, Sarah Millen, said respect could be shown in many ways, but it always meant a violence-free union.
“That means free of physical, sexual, economic and emotional violence. There’s a need for us to take action and promote what defines respect,” Ms Millen said. “A good starting point is to have open dialogue about the issue of family violence, letting people know that there are wonderful support services, not only for victims but for the perpetrators to address their behaviours.”
Ms Millen said one in three Australian women had experienced physical violence since the age of 15. “It’s important not to trivialise or localise domestic violence. It takes many forms, and it’s in all parts of society.”
InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence chief executive Maya Avdibegovic explained how inTouch had implemented a number of culturally sensitive models for dealing with family violence, including the inTouch Legal Centre. “Just know there’s help out there,” she said. “Reach out and discuss it.”
Priscilla Moca
