Community
7 February, 2025
Start the conversation about the need to change
A CAMPERDOWN business owner has unveiled a new window display in solidarity with the 101 women who lost their lives to gender-based violence last year.
Origami white cranes are now being displayed in the storefront window of Excuse Me Katie’s on Manifold Street to raise awareness for the 101 women who were killed last year in incidents of gender-based violence.
Owner Kate Kent said she was inspired by the women she knew who had endured gender-based violence and wanted to create conversations during an election year in hopes of seeing positive change.
“I know women who have been in terrible situations; I’ve seen their whole souls sucked out of them,” she said.
“People very close to me have been through this.
“I’m passionate about women’s health and women’s rights, so it was difficult seeing at the end of the year that so many women had been killed to gender-based violence in 2024.
“But, really, no one is doing anything about it – there are a couple of great organisations or agencies which are raising awareness and fundraising, but it feels like it’s not being pushed.
“Just because we’re in a rural town doesn’t mean it doesn’t hit here – it hits here a lot as well.”
The concept had originally been suggested by Sarah Pollard, a close friend of Ms Kent who also works alongside her with creative window design, who freely donated her time in solidarity with the message.
The display struck a chord with social media users and customers of the café alike, as members of the community embraced what can be a difficult conversation.
“I was expecting a mixed response, but this has created really positive feedback and someone else has already dropped in their own colourful paper cranes to represent hope and change,” Ms Kent said.
“It’s been terrific so far seeing the response.”
Ms Kent said she hoped enough conversations could lead to tangible change in policy at the state, federal and local levels.
“We need really big changes, and it feels like nobody at those levels cares,” she said.
“It’s really only organisations that are actually doing anything - on limited funding and resources.
“If parents start talking to their kids, or people have conversations about healthy relationships, the privilege of being in a relationship and someone’s right to step out of a relationship, then creating conversation is something really good as well.”
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