Gender Based Violence: Call it out!

November 26, 2020

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign to end gender-based violence. The campaign began yesterday with the International Day for the elimination of violence against women and concludes with International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Says Snezana Filiposki, Project Support Officer, Strengthening Hospital Response to Family Violence, “This is a time for us all to reflect on the social norms which exacerbate and excuse gender-based violence, and as a collective society, bring an end to discrimination, inequity and abuse.”

Findings released by The Crime Statistics Agency show the impact COVID-19 has had on family violence:

  • The number of family violence incidents increased 11.7 per cent between April – June 2020 compared to the same period in 2019
  • Women aged 30 – 34 were most often recorded as victim-survivors in the April – June 2020 time period
  • Males aged 35 – 39 made up the biggest demographic group of family violence perpetrators
  • June 2020 saw the biggest monthly increase in family violence from 2019.

She points to the following ways we can show our support and learn more on this subject:

  • Attend a Family Violence Education Session via MS Teams online:
    Tuesday 1 December or Tuesday 8 December at 2.15 – 3 pm.
    Email the SHRFV team for an invite on: NH-FamilyViolenceProjectteamStaff@mh.org.au
  • Visit the information display table at the front foyer at any Northern Health site for family violence resources
  • “How far can you go” wear something orange a little or a lot during the 16 days and share a photo with us
  • Attend a Family Violence webinar during the 16 days. More details here.
  • Share the message of this campaign via social media:
  • #BuildingaRespectfulCommunity #RespectIs #CallitOut #16DaysCampaign #WeAreNorthern

Respect Victoria is also conducting a Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign, to coincide with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Respect is the building block of all healthy relationships and is offered, exchanged and received in the places we spend our time: homes, schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and more. Violence against women and girls is a devastating act of disrespect and a pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.

On Thursday, 10 December at 2.15 pm, Women’s Health In the North (WHIN) will provide the evidence base for the prevention of violence against women and an introduction to active bystander approaches, in line with Respect Victoria’s ‘Respect Women: Call it Out’ campaign. Click here to join the meeting.

Bystander action refers to how a bystander calls out, or engages others, in responding to incidences of violence, sexism, harassment or discrimination. Importantly, there is no ‘right way’ to be an active bystander.

As we mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Northern Health invites you to “call it out” and share a brief story of how you have called out disrespectful behaviour and language by email to NH-FamilyViolenceProjectteamStaff@mh.org.au that we can share.

As Snezana points out, “It all starts with respect.”