Students say “NO” to domestic violence

FOUR hundred year eight students from Ogilvie High School and New Town High School demonstrated their stance on domestic violence recently when they banded together to form a giant human “NO” on the Ogilvie sports oval.

Led by Ogilvie’s “Z-Group” – an initiative of global international women’s organisation, Zonta International – the “Giant NO” event was the culmination of the group’s campaigning efforts to help raise awareness and prevent violence against women in the community.

Ogilvie High School principal Julie Bird said the display was centred on raising message awareness – to stand up and say “no” to violence against women.

“The Z Group has gradually been spreading awareness throughout the school and the “Giant NO” display was the culmination of those efforts,” she said.

“The sports afternoon also acted as the perfect setting as the group wanted to include the boys from New Town High School in the event.

“The students wanted to demonstrate the importance of opening up this discussion among boys and men, as well as among girls and women.”

With more than 800 girls attending Ogilvie High School, Ms Bird said it was likely there were a number of students that had been subject or witness to some form of domestic violence.

“Girls who have been exposed to these kinds of situations often find themselves isolated and thinking that it is only happening to them,” she said.

“The aim of the “Giant NO” display was to bring the discussion into the open and let them know they are not alone.

“This will hopefully empower them to speak up and seek help in the future.”

For more information about Zonta International and the “Say NO to Violence Againt Women” campaign, visit www.zonta.org/MediaNews/ZontaSaysNOtoViolenceAgainstWomen.aspx