This Friday marks the first day of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, an international campaign designed to help people understand and speak out against gender-based violence.

The 16 Days of Activism begins on Friday 25 November on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It will run until International Human Rights Day on Saturday 10 December.

Victoria’s theme for this year is Respect Women: 'Call It Out’. Yarra City Council encourages the community to get involved, and take a stand against domestic and family violence, violence against women and girls and all forms of gender-based violence. 

This year, one way to take a stand is to participate in the Walk Against Family Violence, organised by North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) on Tuesday 29 November. The event starts at the Richmond Housing Estate from 12pm at the NRCH office and make its way to Richmond’s Citizens Park before returning to NRCH.

Yarra Mayor Sophie Wade said that violence against women impacts all parts of our community, including the municipality’s migrants and refugees. 

“Australian statistics show that one in three migrant and refugee women living in Australia have experienced family violence,” said Mayor Wade. 

“We’re encouraging people to stand up against family and domestic violence and to come along to the march on Tuesday,” said Mayor Wade.

Find out more information about 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

To mark this year’s campaign Yarra, along with other councils in the Northern Metro Region of Melbourne asked young people what ‘respect’ means to them. Watch the video to learn more about how we can all treat each other with greater respect.

If you need help or would like to speak with someone about concerns of violence in your life, there a number of resources are available:

Call 000 if you are in immediate danger, for police and ambulance.

If you are not in immediate danger, you can reach out to these organisations:

• 1800 Respect is Australia’s national domestic family and sexual violence counselling service. Trained counsellors are available anytime on 1800 737 732. Online chat is also available. 
• Safe Steps helps people in Victoria who are experiencing or are at risk of family violence. They offer a live web chat between 9am and midnight. Or call 1800 015 188 at any time.
• The Orange Door is a free service for people of all ages who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, and families who need extra support with the care of children and has 15 locations across Victoria.
• Safe and Equal provides specialist family violence support to victim survivors in Victoria. You can use the online resource to search for services to meet your specific needs, such as Djirra for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
• InTouch is a service dedicated to women of migrant and refugee backgrounds.
• Visit No to Violence if you have concerns about your own behaviour.
• Relationships Australia offers support by phone: 1300 364 277
• Men’s Referral Service is a confidential phone service available for men: 1300 766 491