16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign led annually by UN Women. It runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).

Council hosts an annual 16 Days campaign in Penrith reaffirming our commitment to raising awareness and delivering actions to reduce domestic and family violence in our community.

The campaign promotes gender equality and asserts that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in Penrith.
 
Follow our Facebook or Instagram pages where we’ll share information and actions to help you be informed, be accountable and be part of a movement to end violence against women and girls. 
  
REMEMBER: If this campaign or information raises any issues or concerns for you, please reach out for support on 1800 RESPECT – (1800 737 732) 

Events and Activities 

Walk Against Violence – Sunday 8 December 

Council invites the community to the Walk Against Violence at the Nepean River to help bring awareness to violence against women and its impacts in our community.

Date: Sunday 8 December 2024
Time: 9am to 11.30am
Location: Meet at the Blue Tree Nepean Avenue.
Following the 1.8km walk, enjoy a free breakfast BBQ supported by our local Rotary clubs, coffee, live music, a poignant installation by the Zonta Club Nepean Valley and interactive activities
For more event details click here

Civic Centre 'lights-up' in orange

Each night during the 16 Days, the Civic Centre will be lit up in the colour orange to serve as a bright reminder that everyone in our community deserves to be safe. This action is inspired by the UN Women UNiTE campaign, which includes a call to 'Orange the World' (wear orange or make a physical space orange) to raise awareness.

Nepean Services Connect Expo – Domestic & Family Violence

The Nepean Domestic Violence Network is hosting the Nepean Services Connect Expo – Domestic & Family Violence as part of their continued work supporting services and clients experiencing domestic and family violence. The event is aimed at community sector workers and services who encounter disclosures of domestic and family violence and would like to enhance their knowledge of referral pathways and learn which services and programs are available to connect their clients to for support.

Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Time: 10am to 12pm
Location: St Marys Memorial Hall

For more details contact Erin Davidson via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

16 Actions everyone can take

1. Commit to Act: Take part in the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence; start conversations and make our community safer for everyone.
2. Be informed so you can join the conversation: Be informed about the causes and consequences of gender-based violence so you can start this important conversation. It’s important to understand why violence against women and children is sometimes excused, minimised and condoned. Understanding the attitudes and behaviours that lead to women feeling unsafe helps us all to know how to respond when we see or hear something that isn’t ok. Visit Our Watch for more information on the gendered drivers of violence.
3. Learn the facts
   Set aside some time to learn the facts about gender-based violence. It is true that both women and men experience violence from intimate partners, however, women are three times more likely to be the victim of violence perpetrated by their male partner or ex-partner. Visit Our Watch for information on the prevalence and nature of violence against women in Australia.
4. Challenge gender stereotypes and roles
   Talk to your kids about how to safely challenge gender stereotypes and roles. Simple things, like sharing household chores equally, can foster self-esteem and promote healthy relationships.
5. Support campaigns to eliminate violence against women
   Join movements, learn more about how to talk about violence with family and friends and encourage everyone, of all genders, to get involved. Check out the #noexcuseforabuse campaign and look out for events like Reclaim the Night.
6. Be an active bystander
   Challenge threatening and inappropriate attitudes and behaviours when you’re with other people and on social media. A culture of excusing and condoning disrespect forms when the ‘small stuff’ isn’t challenged.
   Doing nothing does harm. It’s everyone's responsibility to be an active bystander, to speak up when we see or hear something that’s sexist, abusive or discriminatory.
   Find out more at: doingnothingdoesharm.org.au.
7. Hold each other accountable
   Hold yourself and your friends accountable. Don’t shrug off sexist comments as ‘just a joke’. If it’s disrespectful it’s not ok.
8. Know the many forms of domestic and family violence
   Domestic and family violence is not just physical, it can take many forms, including verbal, financial, spiritual, social and emotional abuse.
   Learn about the different types of controlling behaviours that constitute gender-based violence here
9. Donate to a local support service
   Local services like The Haven - Nepean Women's Shelter, DV West and Penrith Women’s Health Centre provide specialist and domestic and family violence services. Funding and resources are stretched, and our local services always need community support.
   When women and children flee from perpetrators of violence, they usually can’t take essential items with them. Donations help services provide essential items and crisis accommodation to women and children in need.
   You can donate money or gift cards so families can buy groceries, clothes or anything else that will bring them security and comfort.
10. Celebrate diversity
    Challenge sexist, racist, homophobic, and transphobic attitudes and support equal rights and opportunities for all people in our community, Domestic and family violence occurs across all cultures and communities, including the LGBTIQ+ community. Find out more about healthy relationships, where to get help and how to support your friends here sayitoutloud.org.au
11. Take to social media
    Social media is a great way to get involved and stay informed. Liking and sharing posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is a great way to speak up and improve your own network’s understanding of the issue and how important it is.
12. Know the hotlines, in an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
    • National hotlines provide support and referrals to anyone affected by domestic and family violence. Keep them handy, you never know when someone you know might need them.
      If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
      1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
      A confidential information and counselling and support service.
      NSW Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463
      Provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence
      Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
      Provides assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence or are worried about their own behaviour.
13. Support local advocacy work
    Learn more about the important work happening in our community to create positive change. The Nepean Domestic Violence Network brings together local services to advocate for the safety of women and children in our community. Follow them on Facebook.
14. Call the Police
    • If you suspect someone is experiencing domestic or family violence, call the Police.
      Call triple zero (000) for an urgent life-threatening emergency.
      Call the Police Assistance Line 131 444 for non-urgent help.
      You can remain anonymous.
      Nepean Police Area Command has a specialist team of Domestic Violence Liaison Officers that can provide support and referral information to women who experience violence.
15. Break the silence
    Break the silence, show your support, and build a community that is ready to end violence against women. Did you know that on average, one woman is murdered by her current or former partner every week and one in four will experience domestic and family violence in their lifetime? Many people who experience gender-based violence are silent, they never report it or talk about it.
16. Keep the conversation going
    We’d love you to keep the conversation going. Share your knowledge and experience with others to raise awareness about sexual, domestic and family violence and encourage conversations that spark change.
    
    Talk to the people in your life about your commitment to preventing violence against women and encourage them to commit to gender equality too.

REMEMBER: If this campaign or the information on this page raises any issues or concerns for you, please reach out for support on 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732. 

Need help? 

NSW Domestic Violence Line (24 hours) – 1800 656 463

Telephone crisis counselling and referral service for women, including trans women. Counsellors on the Domestic Violence Line can help you to:

• talk to the police and get legal help
• get hospital care and family support services
• obtain an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO)
• develop a safety plan for you and your children
• find emergency accommodation for you and your children.

1800RESPECT (24 hours) - 1800 737 732

The national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling service for anyone in Australia who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence or sexual assault.

NSW Rape Crisis (24 hours) - 1800 424 017

Telephone and online crisis counselling service for all genders in NSW who have experienced or are at risk of sexual, domestic or family violence. Support is also available for non-offending family members, significant others and carers.

Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline – 1800 019 123

A dedicated hotline for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance.

MensLine Australia (24 hours) –1300 789 978

Telephone and online support and information service for men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties.

ACON LGBTIQ and Domestic and Family Violence - 1800 063 060 or 02 9206 2000

Practical support, information, referrals, counselling and advocacy to LGBTIQ people in NSW experiencing domestic and family violence.

NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221

A confidential helpline offering information, advice and referrals for people who experience, witness or suspect the abuse of older people or adults with disability living in NSW.

Link2home Homelessness Information Line (24 hours) - 1800 152 152

A statewide telephone service providing information, assessment and referral to specialist homelessness services, temporary accommodation and other appropriate services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Alcohol and other Drugs Information Service (ADIS) (24 hours) – 1800 250 015 or 02 9361 8000

Telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs.

Women’s Legal Service NSW (Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line) - 1800 810 784 or 02 8745 6999

Free confidential legal information, advice and referrals for women in NSW with a focus on domestic violence and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.

Help the organisations that help others 

Would you like to donate to a local domestic and family violence support service? These organisations support women and children in our City.

The Haven Nepean Women’s refuge: https://www.thehaven.org.au/

DV West: https://www.dvwest.org.au/

Penrith Women's Health Centre: https://www.penrithwomenshealthcentre.com/

To connect with the activities of more local support services follow the Nepean Domestic Violence Network Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nepeandomesticviolencenetwork/