16 Days of Activism

‍

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Tuesday 25 November)
A 16 Hour Walk will be held in Yarram from 4am until 8pm for awareness and reflection.  ‍‍

‍

Equal the Contest Screening (Thursday 27 November, The Regent Theatre in Yarram)
A thought-provoking film and discussion on gender equality in sport featuring special guest director and producer Mitch Nivalis. ‍

‍

Gippsland Family Violence Alliance Leaderships Forum in Sale (Tuesday 2 December)
Presented by Gippsland Family Violence Alliance and Wellington Shire Council. Bringing together regional leaders to drive prevention. Family Violence in Gippsland: Leadership Forum - A 16 Days of Activism Event - Gippsland Family Violence Alliance.

‍

‍Human Rights Day (Wednesday 10 December)
Wellington Walk Against Family Violence in Sale. Local advocates will speak at the Clocktower in Sale from 4pm, followed by a peaceful walk to the Port of Sale. All abilities welcome, sausage sizzle provided. Held in partnership with the Wellington Prevention of Family Violence Network.

Everyone has a role to play in creating a community free from violence. Here are some easy ways to take part:

• Show up to an event listed above.
• Talk about respect and equality with your family, friends and colleagues; 
• Share campaign messages on social media using #16Days, #RespectVictoria, and #FreeFromViolence; and/or
• Display the colour orange in your workplace, home or club to show support. 

‍

Family violence is behaviour that controls or dominates a family member and causes them to fear for their own or another person’s safety or wellbeing. 

It includes exposing a child to these behaviours, as well as their effects and impacts. Family violence presents across a spectrum of risk, ranging from subtle exploitation of power imbalances, through to escalating patterns of abuse over time. 

Family violence is deeply gendered. While people of all genders can be perpetrators or victim survivors of family violence, overwhelmingly, perpetrators are men, who largely perpetrate violence against women (who are their current or former partner) and children. 

However, family violence can occur in a range of ways across different relationship types and communities. 

For more, visit Our Watch | Change the story and key frameworks

Wellington Shire Council is proud to stand with communities across Gippsland and around the world in support of this campaign. We’re working together with local organisations, sports clubs, schools and community groups to promote respect, safety, and equality in every part of our community. 

Through education, advocacy and local events, we aim to: 

• Raise awareness about gendered violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. 
• Encourage conversations that challenge harmful gender stereotypes. 
• Promote respect, equality and inclusion in homes, workplaces and public spaces. 
• Support prevention initiatives across Gippsland. 

A full list of local and national support services can be found on the Gippsland Family Violence Alliance website here.