25 November to 10 December
Unite with us and other Victorians and go orange too – wear and display orange during the 16 days of activism. Become part of a larger global movement that promotes awareness of family and gender violence.
Orange is the colour designated by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available. Please see below for a list of support services. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police.
To show our support for a future free from violence, we will have a display of orange flowers and hands set up at the Hub. We’d like to invite you to join us in creating orange flowers – because together we can help our community bloom.
Orange Flower Making DIY, pick up some orange plastic to create your own at a time that suits you. Deliver finished flowers & hands to Milpara by Nov 24.
You can make your flowers in a design that suits you. For outdoor flowers, we just ask that they are durable and will last in outdoor conditions for the full 16 days of display. We have space indoors to display less durable flowers. This is a video of how we have done our flowers in the past (top tip don’t use too much hot glue, sometimes less is more)
Victoria’s Respect Women: Call It Out coincides with the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This campaign encourages Victorians to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women. This campaign aims to support the Victorian community in understanding what respect means, what it looks like, and how to put it into practice in their everyday lives. We have an opportunity to support our communities to understand what gender equality looks like and how striving for equality can prevent violence against women. When gender equality exists, we all benefit.
While it is great getting orange we’d also encourage people to use this time to reflect and educate themselves on the causes of family violence, and what we as individuals can do to change the story. Take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the fabulous resources and help services available as you never know when that information may be useful for yourself, a friend or family member.
Milpara Community House does not see itself as an authority on domestic violence. We see our role as assisting by providing information to our community and importantly, being part of the movement to bring about change, unity and end family and gender violence. Milpara has produced a booklet with useful contacts and resources to help educate our community about this important topic.
WALK AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE 2024
Every year Victoria hosts the Walk Against Family Violence to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year the event will take place at 11am, Friday 22nd November 2024 at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. The walk will finish at the Treasury Gardens where there will be speakers afterwards.
You are invited to stay in the Gardens after the formalities finish to enjoy a picnic lunch. There will be food trucks, entertainment, market stalls and a positive atmosphere!
People of all genders are welcome. Bring your workmates, friends, family, chosen family – and even your dogs! Wear orange if you can, bring a water bottle, and don’t forget colourful signs and banners.
For more information on the event visit Walk Against Family Violence
Violence affects too many families in Victoria, and we all have a role to play in preventing violence in our community.
The research consistently tells us that violence against women is primarily driven by gender inequality. The good news is that family violence is preventable if we all work together on the following key actions.
- Challenge the condoning of violence against women e.g. Respectfully call out disrespectful behavior.
- Promote women’s independence and decision-making in public life and relationships e.g. Strengthen and promote women’s economic independence.
- Challenge gender stereo types and roles e.g. Encourage the rejection of rigid and limited gender roles – girls can, boys can, we all can!
- Strengthen positive, equal and respectful relations e.g. Promote true and inclusive gender equality.
Services
If you believe someone is in immediate dance, call 000 and ask for the Police. Of you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available. A more comprehensive list can be found in the downloadable booklet above. Below are a list of services with their contact number and link to their website, some also have online chat via their website. 24/7 means that the service is available 24 hours 7 days a week (You can ring anytime day or night).
Safe Steps Family Violence confidential support and information response line for Victoria 24/7. 1800 015 188 www.safesteps.org.au
1800 Respect The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence and abuse counselling service 24/7. 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au
Lifeline 24 hour telephone crisis support. Online self help resources and information 24/7. 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Kids Helpline Private, confidential telephone counselling services for 5 – 25 years 24/7. 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
Men’s Referral Service Anonymous and confidential telephone counseling, information and referrals. 1300 766 491 www.ntv.org.au
Mens Line Professional support and information service for Australian men 24/7. 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au
Djirra Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services 1800 105 303 www.djirra.org.au
Intouch Multicultural Center Against Family Violence a s[specialist family violence service that works with multicultural women, their family and their Communities. 1800 755 988 www.intouch.org.au
Rainbow Door Specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline providing information, support and referals to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family. 1800 729 367 www.rainbowdoor.org.au
Seniors Rights Victoria provided information and advice to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights of older people. 1300 368 821 www. seniorsrights.org.au
