16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign
Published on 27 November 2020
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay has reinforced the Council’s aim to reduce violence against women by launching their support of Respect Victoria to deliver its Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign. The campaign is part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Respect Is’ and messages of equality and respect will be highlighted across the state.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay said, “This is a time to actively promote gender equality and take a stand to end violence against women”.
“We were planning on running a number of programs/initiatives to support the campaign but they were put on hold due to the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cr Ismay.
Council received $2,500 from Respect Victoria to run initiatives and increase the community's understanding of respect during the 16 days and beyond.
Cr Ismay said during the launch “the Respect Women – Call It Out campaign encourages Victorians to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women”. He added “The campaign’s aim is to support the Victorian community in providing a better understanding of what respect means, what it looks like and how to put it into practice in our everyday lives”.
Statistics show that one in four women have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of fifteen (compared to one in thirteen men).
Hindmarsh Shire Council has collaborated with individuals from a range of businesses and community organisations in Dimboola, Jeparit, Nhill and Rainbow to expand the reach of the campaign in the community.
“Over the 16 days of the campaign we aim to upload messages from key community figures on a daily basis to spread this important message and prevent family violence. There will also be a range of activities available from organisations such as Women’s Health Grampians” said Cr Ismay.
He added, “We are also planning on community events being held in each of our four main towns on the last day of the campaign, Thursday 10 December with a community BBQ. Further details will be released within the next week”.
All 79 Victorian councils as well as 18 specialist non-government organisations are involved in the statewide Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign. The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) and Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) are also collaborating with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to provide their expertise.
For more information, visit the Hindmarsh Shire Council website and the Respect Victoria website.
If you are experiencing or at risk of experiencing violence, help is available.
You can access help 24/7 by calling Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or by visiting safesteps.org.au.
If you are worried your behaviour might be harming your partner or family members, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 to speak to a specialist counsellor.
For more information, please contact Phil King, Economic and Community Development Manager, on 5391 4444 or email pking@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Greg Wood
Chief Executive Officer