Family violence
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Background
The United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that takes place annually between 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent and serious human rights abuses in the world.
In Australia, on average, one woman is murdered by a current or former partner every nine days. Almost 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or intimate partner. In Victoria (indeed in Australia as a whole), intimate partner violence is a leading contributor of disability and illness in women aged 15-44. Domestic and family violence is also one of the main reasons why women and children become homeless in Australia.
Domestic and family violence can affect anyone. But overwhelmingly the evidence shows that women are far more likely to experience violence from an intimate partner than men. Some groups of women are at greater risk, particularly Indigenous women, young women, pregnant women, women separating from their partners, women with disability and trans women.
Join Team Respect to #callitout
And help us create equality on and off the field for 16 Days of Activism
Ending violence against women, girls and gender diverse people starts with equality. This year, with the support of Respect Victoria and their Sexism in Sport #callitout campaign, we are celebrating the 16 Days of Activism by chatting to some of our local sporting clubs about how they encourage and promote gender equality on and off the field.
Sport has a vital role to play in promoting equality and preventing violence against women at both an individual level and more broadly as influential organisations and workplaces. With a sizeable percentage of the Port Phillip community participating in some form of sport or physical activity, the attitudes and behaviours learned and displayed in sport can have a considerable influence on how our community behaves and a significant impact on preventing gender-based violence before it occurs.
For our 2022 campaign, we heard from some young local athletes and their clubs about how they create an equal playing field for girls, women and gender diverse people in our community.
As Megan from Middle Park Football Club tells us: “It's about creating a culture and an environment where people feel safe and calling out the behaviour that is not okay.” We'll be sharing more videos across the 16 Days from our local sports clubs about the role of sport in creating gender equal spaces and impacting the broader community.
Video one: Participation
The first video in our series focuses on the importance of equal participation for women and girls in sport and the role sports clubs can play in encouraging their involvement at all levels of sport.
Video two: Call it out
The second video in our series takes a look at the importance that equality in sport has on respect and how that can influence wider society. Sport has a long reach and can play an important role in calling out disrespectful behaviour.
What is family violence?
Family violence is any threatening, coercive, dominating or abusive behaviour that occurs between people in a family, domestic or intimate relationship, or former intimate relationship, that causes the person experiencing the behaviour to feel fear. In Australia, it is against the law for any member of your family, including your partner, children, siblings or in-laws, to hurt or control you.
Family violence includes (but is not limited to):
- Any type of physical violence (hitting, punching, biting, choking)
- Being forced to do sexual acts, even if you are married or in a relationship
- Making threats or any kind of verbal abuse
- Denying access to money
- Controlling contact with people outside the family
Stalking (including online) - Intentionally hurting a pet
- Children witnessing this abuse.
It is never your fault.
Often, people affected by family violence feel alone and isolated, perhaps even guilty or ashamed or feel like they deserve what is happening to them. Many victim-survivors suffer the effects of family violence alone, and the violence goes unreported. If you are worried about someone, or need to seek help yourself, contact one of the support services below.
Where to go for help
In an emergency
If you are in danger, or there is immediate risk of harm to yourself or others call 000 for Police.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre has a 24-hour family violence response phone line which can be reached on 1800 015 188; If you cannot safely call the phone line, email safesteps@safesteps.org.au
Crisis and counselling services
The following list of crisis and counselling services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
| Service | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Safe Steps Family Violence Response | 1800 015 188 |
| National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) | 1800 737 732 |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 |
| Men's Line Australia | 1300 789 978 |
Resources for people affected by family violence
Help and support for all people affected by family violence may also be found through the following specialist services:
- Djirra – Aboriginal family violence prevention and legal service Victoria
Phone: 1800 105 303 - Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service Inc
Phone: 03 9482 5744 - inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Phone: 1800 755 988 - Women's Information Referral Exchange (WIRE)
Phone: 1300 134 130 - Victorian Police LBGTIQ Liaison Officers
Phone: 03 9536 2666 - Q Life - LGBTIQ peer support and referral
Phone: 1800 184 527 - Men’s Referral Service - for men who use violence
Phone: 1300 766 491
Preventing family violence
There is no single cause of family violence and violence against women. But current evidence, outlined in Change the Story: a shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, tells us that higher levels of violence against women are consistently associated with lower levels of gender equality.
Actions that will prevent violence against women:
- Challenge the condoning of violence against women. We do not accept that violence against women is normal or inevitable and we will challenge any attitudes or practices that minimise or excuse it.
- Promote women’s independence and decision-making. We ensure that women have access to the same resources, power and opportunities as men.
- Challenge outdated gender stereotypes and roles. We support children, young people and adults to develop their own personal identities free from restrictive rules and stereotypes. And we promote gender-equitable roles in parenting, paid and unpaid work and other areas.
- Strengthen positive, equal and respectful relationships. We challenge disrespectful behaviour towards women, and assumptions that men should have power and control in relationships. And we work with children and young people to promote respect and gender equality.
- Promote and advance gender equality in public and private life. We support women’s social, economic, cultural and political participation, as well as equality in relationships.
Council’s role in preventing family violence
City of Port Phillip is committed to providing a whole of community approach to preventing family violence. Council has considerable influence and access to the local community through partnerships, collaborations and the services that we provide. We work closely with individuals, families, community organisations, local businesses, sporting clubs and faith groups. We impact the community through planning, facilities and infrastructure provision, as well as being a large employer and procurer of goods and services.
Advancing gender equality
Victoria’s new Gender Equality Act 2020 provides an opportunity for Council to align our efforts with the Victorian Government’s enhanced commitment to gender equality.
The Act requires local government to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality, and to promote gender equality in our policies, programs and services. Council is currently developing our first Gender Equality Action Plan (2022-2025) to advance workplace gender equality. We are also conducting gender impact assessments of policies, programs and services that have a significant impact on the community. This gender analysis will enable us to consider the impacts of our work on people of different genders and how our policies, programs and services can better support people of all genders, promote gender equality and prevent violence against women.
Promoting Respect and Equality Together strategy
‘Promoting Respect and Equality Together – A strategy for the Southern Metropolitan Region’ is an initiative of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) in collaboration with partner organisations including the City of Port Phillip. The strategy coordinates a consistent approach to the prevention of violence against women and their children across the Southern Metropolitan Region.