16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 13

Respect Women - Call it out

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

Violence against women is now recognised to be a serious and widespread problem in Australia, with enormous individual and community impacts and social costs… … However this significant social problem is also ultimately preventable.

But to prevent violence against women we first need to understand it. 

The following basic statistics help demonstrate the prevalence and severity of violence against women:

  • On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
  • 1 in 3 Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
  • 1 in 5 Australian women has experienced sexual violence.
  • 1 in 6 Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence by current or former partner.
  • 1 in 4 Australian women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner.
  • Australian women are nearly three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner.
  • Australian women are almost four times more likely than men to be hospitalised after being assaulted by their spouse or partner.
  • Women are more than twice as likely as men to have experienced fear or anxiety due to violence from a former partner.
  • More than two-thirds (68%) of mothers who had children in their care when they experienced violence from their previous partner said their children had seen or heard the violence.
  • Almost one in 10 women (9.4%) have experienced violence by a stranger since the age of 15.
  • Young women (18 – 24 years) experience significantly higher rates of physical and sexual violence than women in older age groups.
  • There is growing evidence that women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women report experiencing violence in the previous months at 3.1 times the rate of non-Indigenous women
  • In 2014–15, Indigenous women were 32 times as likely to be hospitalised due to family violence as non-Indigenous women

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 12

 Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence,

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

The Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe, Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence), defines violence against women as falling under four key forms: physical, sexual, psychological and economic.

Forms of Gender Based Violence

The European Institute of Gender Equality has produced and uses uniform definitions of these forms of violence, which encourage comprehensive understanding of what falls under the scope of gender-based violence.

Physical violence

Any act which causes physical harm as a result of unlawful physical force. Physical violence can take the form of, among others, serious and minor assault, deprivation of liberty and manslaughter.

Sexual violence

Any sexual act performed on an individual without their consent. Sexual violence can take the form of rape or sexual assault.

Psychological violence

Any act which causes psychological harm to an individual. Psychological violence can take the form of, for example, coercion, defamation, verbal insult or harassment.

Economic violence

Any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony.

It is also important to recognise that gender-based violence may be normalised and reproduced due to structural inequalities, such as societal norms, attitudes and stereotypes around gender generally and violence against women specifically. Keeping silent in the face of gender-based violence normalises and accepts violence. Therefore it is important to acknowledge structural or institutional violence, which can be defined as the subordination of women in economic, social and political life, when attempting to explain the prevalence of violence against women within our societies.

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 11

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence - Day 11

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

“There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.” – Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General

We all have a responsibility to end violence against women and girls. Here are few simple and important things that we can all do to promote safety of women and girls. 

  • Tell people that violence against women and girls is never OK.
  • If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused, listen to and support her. Tell her there are people who want to help. In Australia, phone the 24/7 hotline 1800RESPECT or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/
  • Believe women when they tell you they’ve been raped or abused. Don’t ask about their behaviour and what they were wearing. Listen to what they say without judging them. Women never ask for nor deserve to be raped or abused.
  • Learn about violence against women and girls and what causes it. Your education is a tool to end it.
  • Remember that silence is affirming. When we choose not to speak out about violence against women (or any other injustice) we are supporting it
  • Encourage and support those people in your community working to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
  • Talk to family and community members about how violence and fear of violence affect the daily lives of women and girls. Talk about how you can support each other to help end violence.
  • Make your home violence-free. Children who have witnessed or suffered from gender-based violence are more likely to become victims and abusers later in life.
  • Raise your sons and daughters to be equal and teach them that there is nothing that boys can do that girls cannot.
  • Volunteer to work with violence against women and girls prevention programs in your community.
  • Share decision-making with women in your life. Discuss things with your partner and respect your partner’s opinions.
  • If you are angry, count to 10 before reacting to something you hear or see.
  • If a brother, friend, colleague, classmate or teammate is disrespectful to or is abusing a woman or a girl, do not look the other way — instead, find a way to talk about it with them.
  • Words are very powerful, especially when spoken by people with power over others. Don’t use disrespectful words.

Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence

 

 

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Explainer: the medevac repeal and what it means for asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru

Senator Jacqui LambieAfter much negotiation, the government has secured the repeal of the medical evacuation law – known as “medevac” – after making a secret deal with Senate cross-bencher Jacqui Lambie. So what does this mean for those held in offshore detention?

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 10

 Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

Violence against women and girls remains pervasive across the world, despite significant efforts being made to recognise, eliminate, and prevent it in all its forms. Eliminating violence against women and girls is pivotal to achieving gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Elimination can only be done through prevention. Successful prevention requires:

  • political commitment and leadership,
  • implementing laws and policies that promote gender equality,
  • investing in women’s organisations,
  • allocating resources to prevention, and
  • addressing the multiple forms of discrimination women face daily.

 Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence

 

 

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 9

Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

Elder abuse is a form of family violence and it is unacceptable.

Elder abuse is any act occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which results in harm to an older person. Elder abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social and/or neglect.

Elder abuse that occurs in aged care facilities and nursing homes has received a lot of media coverage, particularly in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, with a final report expected by 30 April 2020. This form of abuse violates human rights and is both illegal and abhorrent.

This campaign refers to violence and elder abuse that occurs in a family context that is perpetrated by either a relative, friend or known and trusted associate (such as a carer).

Research shows that up to 14 per cent of older people may be experiencing elder abuse. Yet the real number is estimated to be much higher than this because elder abuse is often under reported.

Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence,

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 8

 Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence,

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually.

 

When is a crisis response needed?
When a woman and her children need support to stay safe from someone using family violence against them. This may be when the woman is still in the relationship, is planning to leave, or when she has already left.
Why is it important?
The risks to victims of family violence are high and can be fatal. In the first instance, a crisis response is important because it prevents harm and saves lives. As well as that, with the right support, women and children can recover and thrive after family violence.

 Respect Victoria, Respect Victoria campaign against gender based violence,

 

 

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