16 Days in WA: Stop Violence Against Women

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The campaign begins on the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs through to 10 December, Human Rights
Day. It aims to raise awareness; increase positive actions; and highlight the work of organisations, agencies,
communities and individuals to end violence against women.

This year’s theme is ‘speak out to stop
violence against women’ and the message to the Western Australian community is that violence against women – in all
its forms – is unacceptable.

Our Indigenous
Family Violence (IFV) program supports First Nations women in the Fremantle, Melville and Cockburn areas who
are experiencing or at risk of family and domestic violence to make positive changes in their lives. It provides
one-to-one counselling, mediation, advocacy and practical assistance. 

The program is achieving strong outcomes,
thanks to the team’s awareness and understanding of cultural and traditional beliefs. We accept and encouraging
traditional practices within the counselling setting to communicate respect and build rapport.

If you would like to find out more about
the IFV program, contact the team on 9231 0921 or email ifvp@unitingcarewest.org.au

Emily’s Story

*Emily had separated from an abusive
partner and found herself homeless and in the grip of a chronic drug addiction. Her four children were in state
care.

Extremely distressed, Emily had a whole
raft of issues to be addressed if she was going to be reunited with her children. She connected with an Indigenous
Family Violence (IFV) support worker who listened to her story.

After finding her a place at a domestic
violence refuge, the support team helped her negotiate the reunification process and provided counselling through
the IFV program. The Attach team – another UCW family support program – helped her deal with her drug
addiction.

Emily is now the primary carer for two of
her children and enjoys the company of all four on weekends. She has been clean for 14 months, has regained her
self-confidence and self-esteem, works as a volunteer and is studying Community Service.

“All I needed was for someone to care and
help me without judging. If it wasn’t for the help of staff to get me into a refuge, I’d be on the streets or dead,”
Emily said.

*Name
changed

25 November 2019

The team from our South
West Metro Hub support the 16 Days in WA campaign.

Do you know?

  • Gender inequality is strongly linked to
    violence against women.
  • Women are more likely than men to
    experience violence from a known person and in their home. Gender-based violence has social, economic, health and
    welfare costs on children, young people, individuals, families and communities.
  • The Western Australian government is
    developing a 10 Year Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence in our state.
  • To drive gender equality and to create a
    better, fairer and more equitable community, the Western Australian government is also developing a Women’s
    Plan.

The statistics

  • In 2018, Western Australia recorded the
    largest number of family and domestic violence related homicide offences (37 victims) across the
    nation.1
  • Nearly all Australians (97%) reject the
    idea that it is okay for men to joke with their male friends about being violent towards women.2
  • The majority of Australians say they
    would act or like to act when witnessing abuse or disrespect towards women.3
  • One in five Australians believe domestic
    violence is a normal reaction to stress, and that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry he hits her without
    meaning to.4
  • One in six women and one in nine men
    experience physical or sexual abuse before the age of 15 years.5 Over two in five young Australians
    (43%) support the statement ‘I think it’s natural for a man to want to appear in control of his partner in front
    of his male friends’.6

 

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics:
    Recorded Crime – Victims, Australia 2018
  2. Young Australians’ attitudes to violence
    against women and gender equality, 2017 NCAS, ANROWS
  3. Young Australians’ attitudes to violence
    against women and gender equality, 2017 NCAS, ANROWS
  4. 2017 National Community Attitudes
    towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
  5. AIHW: Report on Family and Domestic
    Violence 2019
  6. Young Australians’ attitudes to violence
    against women and gender equality, 2017 NCAS, ANROWS

Ways to take action

  • Wear something orange throughout the
    duration of the campaign.
  • Get informed: What is gender-based
    violence and why is it important to take a stand? To find out more, visit these websites:

  • Find out how to be a positive influencer
    through the Stop it at the Start
  • Talk to your children and other young
    people in your life about respectful relationships and check out The
    Line     and the Respect
    Checklist    .

Information, Services and Supports

If you or anyone you know is experiencing
family and domestic violence and/or sexual violence, there is help available.

If you or someone you know is in immediate
danger, please call 000. For a comprehensive list of State and national helplines, please visit the
State Government’s Family and
Domestic Violence Help and Advice page.