Surgeon Dr Bruce Ashford, Healthier Illawarra Men deputy chair Toby Dawson, Women Illawarra GM Michelle Glasgow, motivational speaker and shark attack survivor Brett Connellan and elite sports physiotherapist Mick Baines at the launch of the ‘It Starts With Me. Today.’ campaign against domestic violence at Flagstaff Hill. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
It’s past time for men to step up and share responsibility for the domestic violence epidemic, and it starts with three high-profile Wollongong community leaders.
Prominent physiotherapist to the stars and vocal campaigner Mick Baines, motivational speaker and shark attack survivor Brett Connellan, and renowned Wollongong surgeon Dr Bruce Ashford are the first ambassadors for the ‘It Starts With Me. Today.’ campaign.
The campaign, a collaboration between Healthier Illawarra Men and Women Illawarra, is driven by men to address domestic violence and promote respectful relationships across the region.
Ambassadors will play pivotal roles by sharing their personal stories, advocating for change and being champions for a culture of accountability and respect.
Physiotherapist Mick Baines said he was keen to move the dial on how men understood domestic violence.
“Too often you hear men flat out deny rape culture, coercive control or misogyny,” he said.
“We’ve been raised in that patriarchal lense, and I don’t think enough men are willing to acknowledge that.
“Men need to become aware, to be educated, to be willing to listen.
“It’s really simple – start by asking questions of the women in your life, ask them what they want you to learn, what they want you to understand.
“Read Consent Laid Bare, read Eggshell Skull, follow some pages on Instagram that change your algorithm.”
The campaign will also deliver Tomorrow Man workshops to schools, sporting and community groups across the region.
These workshops will empower young men aged 14–18 to make positive choices for healthy relationships.
Women Illawarra general manager, Michelle Glasgow, said it was critical for men to shoulder their share of the responsibility to address violence in our community.
“This isn’t a women’s health issue or a women’s safety issue, this is a men’s behaviour issue,” she said.
“Women Illawarra has supported women and children experiencing domestic and family violence since 1979.
“For 45 years we’ve been advocating for change in our community and for some reason we’re still seeing rates of violence and women and children rise.
“We’re exhausted in the women’s sector. We have been so resilient, but if we don’t get the men in our community to support us we’ll never have an impact.
“It makes my heart happy that for once it is not the victims shouldering the weight of advocacy, it’s the men in our community who have the leadership and resources to help us change attitudes and behaviours.”
The campaign launch coincides with the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and International Human Rights Day, symbolising the shared commitment to ensuring safety and equality for all.
It’s also launched just ahead of Christmas, when domestic violence rates often spike.
Surgeon Bruce Ashford often sees firsthand the consequences of that violence, and believes that early education is key.
“Truthfully there is a lot of physical and mental violence that occurs in our communities and the cost of managing that not just acutely but in continuing care and recovery for those victims is significant,” he said.
“From a medical perspective we always talk about prevention is better than cure, and we want to think about a preventative approach for the next generation to view things very differently.
“Every person, every family deserves safety at the core of their life.”
Healthier Illawarra Men deputy chair, Toby Dawson, said the campaign’s strength lay in collaboration.
He hopes men will act to ensure this Christmas is a safe and happy one for every family in our community.
“This campaign is about encouraging men to be ‘upstanders’, not bystanders, and to challenge behaviours that fall short of the respect and accountability we expect in our community.
“The lead-up to Christmas can be a time of joy for many, but for others, it’s a period of heightened stress and vulnerability, with domestic violence rates often increasing.
“Christmas should be a season of peace and togetherness, but for too many families, it’s marred by violence and fear. By empowering men to take a stand and challenge harmful behaviours, It Starts With Me. Today. aims to create safer homes and stronger communities this holiday season and beyond.”
Community members or organisations interested in becoming ambassadors for the ‘It Starts With Me. Today.’ campaign are encouraged to email [email protected] for more information.
Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.
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