Three months after the exhilaration of his 200th game of footy for Coburg, Phil Cleary was brought to his lowest by the death of his 25-year-old sister, Vicki, at the hands of a violent ex-boyfriend.
Vicki’s murder and the court case in 1989 that saw her killer found guilty of manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to less than four years in jail was the start of a lifelong mission to end violence against women.
Mr Cleary will speak at the Killara Centre in Camperdown on Friday 5 June at 2.30 pm.
“When Vicki was murdered in 1987, communities weren’t talking about gendered violence like they are today.
“Now, every community across Australia is talking about what respectful relationships look like and why violence against women, which includes the murder of around 80 women a year, is the equivalent of a national crisis.”
Echoing Mr Cleary’s words, Corangamite Shire Mayor Kate Makin described violence against women and children as a “societal issue that results in one in four Australian women experiencing violence from an intimate partner”.
“This is a reminder of how important it is for the community to change attitudes that give rise to violence,” Cr Makin said.
“In 2015 the Royal Commission into Family Violence found 80% of cases go unreported.
“Everyone has a responsibility to call out disrespect, sexism and challenge the attitudes responsible for this epidemic of violence.”
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of gendered violence or are experiencing yourself, help is available.
The event is funded by the Victorian Government’s Free from Violence local government program.
The free event will include refreshments. Places are limited so community members are encouraged to register now at corangamite.vic.gov.au/PhilClearyEvent.
If you need help:
- The Orange Door: 1800 271 180 orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- 1800RESPECT 1800 737 431 or www.1800respect.org.au
- MensLine: 1300 78 99 78
- Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling 1800 011 046
- Safe Steps: 1800 015 188
If you are in immediate danger, call Triple zero.
