Released 24/11/2017
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women held every year on the 25th of November (Saturday), communities across the world will also embark on 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence seeking to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world.
The ACT Government supports this important campaign, and we are asking the Canberra community to get on board and unite in orange, and with some creativity to raise awareness about domestic and family violence.
Over the next 16 days, members of the ACT Government, community and corporate sectors, and members of the community will take the opportunity to shout-out the strong and clear message that violence against women in any form is not OK.
This ‘shout-out’ will take many forms and many will make a stand by posting and sharing messages and images on social media, tweeting out stories, wearing orange, having conversations, and holding events to highlight key messages, and make commitments and change for our community.
Tonight in Canberra, Telstra Tower, Questacon, the Ian Potter House and the Shine Dome, Old Parliament House and the Malcolm Fraser Bridge will be lit up orange, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2016) Personal Safety Survey, one in four Australian women has experienced physical or sexual abuse by a partner, since the age of 15. In the ACT, ABS figures show the number of domestic and family violence related assaults recorded by police in 2016 rose to 240 victims per 100,000 persons (33 per cent increase from the year prior).
In the 2017-18 ACT Budget, the government committed $23.5 million over four years to combat domestic and family violence in the ACT, including for the development of a Family Safety Hub; the establishment of the Room4Change therapeutic residential men’s behaviour change program; and the Safer Families grants program to provide financial assistance to women leaving violence.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism, I will announce the recipients of the Violence Prevention Awards on 27 November. The awards will recognise projects, activities and/or individuals who are making significant contributions to the prevention of violence against women and children in the ACT.
Over this 16 days, talk to your family and friends over a cuppa. Learn more about the facts and what you can do to help. Post and share important messages on social media when you can, and help make gender-based violence a thing of the past.
Hashtags for the campaign include #16daysofglobalactivism #saynotoviolence #saferfamilies #orangeday #GE4Us #EndVAW #PVAW #16Days #SaferFamilies.
I hope that the community will get on board and commit their support this important campaign.
To find out more about the 16 Days of Activism visit the UN Webpage here. To find out more about White Ribbon Day visit the website here. To find out more about the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women visit the website here.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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