We’re proud to support the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign – helping prevent violence against women, girls and non-binary people.

The global campaign starts on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). It's a time when communities around the world unite to raise awareness and take action to end gender-based violence.

This year, we’re supporting the Respect Victoria and Safe & Equal campaigns, which encourage everyone to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women – because change starts with everyday actions.

How you can make a difference

Calling out disrespectful attitudes and behaviours helps prevent violence before it starts. You can speak up when someone:

• makes a sexist joke
• puts down or demeans a family member
• controls their partner’s finances or movements
• tries to isolate their partner from friends or family.

Visit Respect Victoria for resources and tips on how to safely call out disrespect.

Why focus on women, girls and non-binary people?

While violence can affect anyone, the effects on women are often more severe and more frequent.

• women are more likely to experience intimate partner violence, often in the home.
• men are more likely to experience violence from other men in public spaces.
• intimate partner violence is the leading health risk for women aged 25 to 44.
• more than half of trans and nonbinary individuals (54%) experience some form of partner abuse. (source: Domestic Violence Services Network)
• most acts of domestic violence and sexual assault are perpetrated by men against women. (Source: Our Watch)

There is no excuse for any form of violence – everyone deserves to feel safe.

Support services

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.

• Emergency: Call 000 and ask for police
• 1800RESPECT – 24/7 national support: 1800respect.org.au
• Doncare: 03 9856 1500
• Eastern Domestic Violence Service: 03 9259 4200
• Orange Door (Inner East): 1800 354 322
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
• Thorne Harbour Health (LGBTIQ+ support): 03 9865 6700
• Migrant Information Centre: 03 9285 4888
• Eastern Community Legal Centre: 03 9285 4822
• Safe Steps (24/7 crisis support): 1800 015 188

Other key organisations 

• ANROWS
• Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
• Partners in Prevention
• Respect Victoria
• VicHealth
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Workplace Gender Equality Agency

Learn about 16 Days of activism in other languages:

• Arabic (العربية)
• Simplified Chinese (普通话)
• Traditional Chinese (廣東話)
• Greek (Ελληνικά)