Orange the World: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Our Facebook Page MilparaCommunityHouse has been really busy with posts for #16daysofactivism. We didn’t want you to have missed them if you don’t follow our Facebook Page so here is a bit of a recap.

November 25 is day 1 of both Orange The World and Victoria’s Respect: 16 Days of Activism beginning with, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It will run until December 10, Human Rights Day.

So Milpara once again has been busy getting orange.  We’d like to thank everyone who has helped out. The street garden bed is eye catching with the orange flowers (complementing banners to go up soon). Our foyer this year has turned art gallery with amazing powerful art pieces completed by one of our students and local artists Wendy D. (See above gallery of her amazing, thought provoking work)

We’d love to encourage everyone to show there support by displaying/wearing orange to.  More importantly though we’d encourage people to take these 16 Days to reflect, learn, discuss and increase awareness of this important community issue.  We’ll be posting daily to assist.

If you feel unsafe or are concerned for someone’s safety, please call 000 or contact the police in your state or territory.

For confidential crisis support, information and accommodation please call the safe steps 24/7 family violence response line on 1800 015 188.

For confidential phone help and referral in Australia, please contact 1800RESPECT, the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line on 1800 737 732.

For a specialist LGBTIQ family violence service, please contact w|respect on 1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847) or visit www.withrespect.org.au

#2

Day two of 16 days of Activism and we wanted to draw your attention to the ‘Respect Is’ campaign. Have you thought about what respect means and looks to you?

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If you feel unsafe or are concerned for someone’s safety, please call 000 or contact the police in your state or territory.

For confidential crisis support, information and accommodation please call the safe steps 24/7 family violence response line on 1800 015 188.

For confidential phone help and referral in Australia, please contact 1800RESPECT, the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line on 1800 737 732.

Share: “Respect means equality, and it means committing to equity. Respect is about valuing people and seeing them as their whole selves. It’s about centring dignity. And it’s about committing to the actions that will create a future where equality is a reality.

We can talk about women’s safety, we can talk about 10-year plans, but what we need is action.

I think that the system and community attitudes are changing, but we still have a way to go. In this country, we have a history of outdated views that are very blokey, that don’t value women. We don’t have a lot of examples of healthy masculinity, and we need to start seeing leaders who model respectful, nurturing forms of masculinity.

I believe in a future where everyone is safe and respected, and I know that is achievable because family violence is completely preventable. When I look at my daughter, who will be an adult in 10 years, I don’t want to think that we might just be talking about another plan without much change. I want a different future for her – where she is safe and happy in the world, the workplace, in her relationships, and in her home. That’s my motivation”.

Geraldine Bilston – Advocate for the prevention of family violence and the Deputy Chair of the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council in Victoria.

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Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, we’re showcasing messages of respect and support from victim-survivors and community advocates as part of our ‘Respect Is’ campaign.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/enyy8f7c

#RespectIs #16DaysofActivism #CallItOut

#3 (we might of missed) #4

Shared :South Gippsland Shire Council  · Join us on a Walk Against Family Violence tomorrow (30 November). The walk starts at 12pm outside Memorial Hall in Leongatha. All welcome.

#5

16 days of Activism. Myth: “Family violence doesn’t happen in LGBTIQA+ relationships.”

Fact: Family violence can occur in a range of relationships including LGBTIQA+ relationships. Historically, there has been low awareness of family violence in LGBTIQA+ communities due to a lack of data. While many large studies do not collect data on sexual orientation, a number of small studies have shown that intimate partner violence occurs in same-sex relationships at similar rates to heterosexual relationships. It is also felt that incidents are under reported in the LGBTIQA+ community due to the fear of discrimination or lack of available support. (You’ll find more myths on this website if you’d like to have safeandequal.org.au)

Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Call 1800 729 367 or visit the Rainbow Door website. https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/

#6

Respect Victoria’s Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign encourages Victorians to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women.

A world based on respect is a world we want to live in because we know that when gender equity exists, we all benefit.

Outdated gender stereotypes isn’t doing our men any favors either. Unpacking the Man Box finds men’s adherence to outdated attitudes to gender is over:

25 times more accurate than a range of demographic variables in predicting the use of physical violence, sexual harassment, verbal bullying and cyber bullying

22 times more accurate in predicting the experience of physical violence, verbal bullying and cyber bullying

11 times more accurate than demographics at predicting very risky drinking; and

10 times more accurate than demographics at predicting negative feelings and emotions.

So lets all work together to create change and

‘change the story’ as it benefits us all. Lets all have a think about what respect is, and how we can make changes we can make.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for the Police.

Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service. Safe Steps 1800 015 188 safesteps.org.au

#7

International Day of People with Disability December 3. Challenge the way you think about disability and help grow a more inclusive Australia.

We know people with disabilities are people first and people are awesome.  What isn’t so awesome is that at times they don’t get treated with the respect they deserve (16 days of activism : Call it Out).  This can actually lead to some pretty distressing outcomes. 

While I have your attention I’d also like to point out that not all disabilities are easily seen.  Many people suffer with conditions you can’t see and they too deserve your respect.  A great example of this is someone with a disability sticker parking in a disability parking space, who ends up abused publicly or left nasty notes.  What you may not know is that person has a heart, lung or other condition not easily identified.  So remember respect first, if you feel you need to ask, please do so respectfully, you may find your assumption is wrong. 

Here are some other quick tips: put the person first (not the disability), speak directly to the person (not there companions) and listen attentively when someone is having difficulty speaking , if they’re an adult then speak to them like an adult, ask before helping, if you’re unsure how to interact just ask them.  That’s just a few to get you started 😉

This 3 minute and 40 second YouTube video from the D.C. Office of Disability Rights discusses general rules of etiquette for interacting with people with disabilities. We encourage you to watch this short disability sensitivity training video. 

#8

How good does this years Orange the World : 16 days of activism against gender violence display look? We’d love to expand out to another garden next year, so if you are interested in making some orange flowers for next year, let us know.

Remember help is available if you are experiencing violence Safe Steps 1800 015 188 is a confidential and supportive family violence response line for Victoria available 24/7.

#9

We shared Korumburra Hospital Post: Being active not only works wonders on our long-term physical health, it’s also important for our mental wellbeing.

Yet too often, the environments in which women are active are not welcoming or supportive, leading to fear of judgement from others, often stopping women from participating.

Let’s Chat with those around us about creating welcoming and supportive environments that empower women to enjoy being active without worrying about judgement, their appearance, gender stereotypes or skills.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/gippy-girls-can

If you need help; In an emergency call 000. Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800 806 292.

#16DaysOfActivism #RespectIs #LetsChatGippsland www.16daysgippsland.com.au 

#10

#16daysofactivism. Yesterday was the International Day of People with Disability a day to celebrate the achievements, accessibility, participation and inclusion. As part of our 16 days of activism and creating greater awareness we wanted to highlight a sad fact. Nearly, 2 in 5 women with disabilities have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15 (Compared to 1 in 4) Center of Research Excellence in Disability and Health (2021) Nature and extend of violence, abuse, neglect and exploration against people with disability in Australia.

Looking at the ‘People with disability in Australia’ AIHW updated 2/10/20 47% of adults with disability have experienced violence after the age of 15.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, help is available. If in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police.

National Disability Abuse + Neglect Hotline 1800 880 052

1800 Respect (National Sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service 1800 737 732.

Safe Steps (Confidential and supportive family violence response line 24/7) 1800 015 188

#11

#12

We shared Gippsland Southern Health Service post

Children deserve to be who they want to be.

The reality is, too many of us expect different things from boys and girls, and we often treat them differently, without even realising it.

Let’s Chat with those around us about raising children as equals and freeing them from outdated stereotypes. Even the little things count – from the toys they play with, letting them express their emotions and opening their minds to what they can be when they grow up.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/level-playground

If you need help;

In an emergency call 000.

Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.

Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800 806 292.

#16DaysOfActivism #RespectIs #LetsChatGippsland www.16daysgippsland.com.au

#13

We shared Respect Victoria post

“It’s being honest, open, willing, and being able to take on criticism. It’s acknowledging that everybody has a story, and we all experience harm. It’s unlearning your privilege, making a choice not to use violence and choosing to seek help. Respect is looking beyond punitive measures to solutions that support change and growth.

Judgement, isolation, finger-pointing – shame doesn’t help anyone. Shame keeps both survivors and perpetrators in the shadows and on the margins, and makes people feel like they can’t seek help. Leading with respect means choosing not to discriminate based on a person’s lived experience, so that we can all get the care we need.”

Nina – a member of the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council, an advocate for systemic change and an advocate for women who experience criminalisation and are survivors of family violence.

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Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, we’re showcasing messages of respect and support from victim-survivors and community advocates as part of our ‘Respect Is’ campaign.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/enyy8f7c #RespectIs #16DaysofActivism #CallItOut

#14

#15

#16DaysOfActivism  Milpara have created a list of helpful contacts on a great little business sized card. If you’d like a card or two, three or more please pop into Milpara and pick some up. We have them on the counter throughout the year and find they’re great for people to pick up discreetly and slip into there pocket or to hand out. Personally I carry some in my wallet, because you never know when you might bump into someone and with a variety of services listed they come in handy in lots of situations (Belinda).

The card has a little information about the service their contact number and website. Listed on the card are Safe Steps, 1800 Respect, Men’s Referral Service, Lifeline, Kids Helpline.

#16