16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign

Following on from the success of its first 16 Days campaign in 2020, the Respecting Seniors Network in partnership with Zonta Melbourne South East and Zonta Mornington Peninsula are leading a walking campaign against ageism, sexism and violence throughout the 16 Days in collaboration with Frankston City Council and Mornington Peninsula.

The Network is encouraging locals to walk at least 16 K’s in 16 Days to raise awareness of, and support for, older victim-survivors of family violence. Participants are encouraged to log their distance on a whole-of-community pedometer available on the Respecting Seniors website. Selfie frames will be installed along popular walking routes and digital versions will be available for download on the Respecting Seniors Network website.

For more information, visit the campaign website, #16Ksin16Days: https://respectingseniorsnetwork.org.au/16ks-in-16-days/

Jewish Care in partnership with Unchain My Heart and local Respectful Relationships schools, will be hosting The Macho Paradox, an in-conversation 16 Days event with Dr Jackson Katz on Wednesday 24 November. This virtual event will focus on how to engage community members – particularly men and boys – on unpacking masculinity, preventing violence and helping create safer communities. To register for this event, visit www.jewishcare.org.au/tmp

As part of the 16 Days campaign, Alpine Shire Council in partnership with Alpine Health and Sun Cinema Bright are hosting a special screening of On The Basis of Sex on Sunday 5 December. The acclaimed film is based on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her lifelong advocacy for equal rights and the historic career that led to her nomination and confirmation as a US Supreme Court Associate Justice. Tickets will soon be available via the Sun Cinema website, alternatively please email info@sunbright.com.au to pre-book your ticket and light-refreshments in advance.

As part of the 16 Days Campaign, the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre will deliver a free Wellbeing and Sustainability training session for Primary Prevention Practitioners on Tuesday 7 December. This training aims to equip participants with the tools to recognise and understand vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout and provide tips on how to manage and prevent it in the future. The training elements will include a focus on personal wellbeing and how to sustain selves and others through work and advocacy that requires generational change. For more information on this training session, and to book your free tickets, visit Eventbrite.

In the leadup to this year’s campaign, we’ll be sharing some examples of what activities and events participants from across the state have planned for this year’s 16 Days campaign.

The first to feature is The Geelong Women’s Social Action Network, who have put together The Clothesline Project. This project encourages participants to get creative at home and make or use clothing, tea towels, scarves or other old items they may have, to tell stories or share statements about stopping violence against women; advocating for women’s rights; promoting awareness around safety in public and in private; ending sexual assault; and preventing all forms of gendered and family violence.

The Clothesline Project is focused on promoting greater awareness of the impact of violence and sexual assault and helping break the silence.

If COVID-19 restrictions allow, the Geelong Women’s Social Action Network are aiming to hold a public art installation of submissions made to the Clothesline Project – see here for ideas.

Register your interest to take part in the Clothesline Project 2021 online.

Specialist family violence workers at Good Samaritan Inn are partnering with local school students to create and promote respectful relationships messaging for this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign. 

Good Samaritan Inn will run a day of small workshops at a local Catholic boys’ school to educate students on the gendered drivers of family violence. Following the workshop, each participant will be invited to contribute a message of advocacy and hope to a larger banner that will be displayed to the public in Preston. 

Local community members will be able to walk by and read messages created by staff and students, encouraging broader conversations and community engagement with respectful relationships.   

Located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Good Samaritan Inn assists women and children who have experienced family violence and homelessness by providing short-term crisis accommodation and support. 

http://www.goodsamaritaninn.org.au/ 

The Greater Shepparton Family Violence Prevention Network in partnership with Primary Care Connect has created Exploring Gender in the Early Years, an online event that aims to address the gendered drivers of family violence.

Hosted by comedian and author Nelly Thomas, Exploring Gender in the Early Years will provide attendees an opportunity to develop their understandings of gender stereotypes at home, and provide strategies to challenge these.

The Greater Shepparton Family Violence Prevention Network is comprised of specialist family violence services, youth and family services, education, police, local council and community services. The grant provided by DV Vic/DVRCV and Respect Victoria allowed the committee to engage Nelly to deliver the session and provide her expertise.

This event is open to both professionals and community members, who have different but very important roles in undertaking this work.

Register to attend Exploring Gender in the Early Years via Eventbrite.