The 16 Days in WA campaign, which takes place annually from November 25 to December 10, is a key initiative inspired by the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Over the days of action RAWA came together to play our part by standing in solidarity with victim-survivors, family members, community, government officials, agencies, and other service providers.
What it looked like around the state
34th March Against Domestic and Family Violence – Perth CBD
Monday the 25th November marked the official start to the campaign with hundreds marching for the 34th March Against Domestic and Family Violence. RAWA staff joined the masses at Forrest Chase in Perth’s CBD to amplify visibility of FDV in our communities. The march (formerly known as the Silent March) honours and pays respects to those who have lost their lives and extends support to those who still live in fear in their own homes. Lived experience experts Lorraine Pryor and Ariel Bombara addressed the crowd demonstrating courage and determination to inspire change.
The following week RAWA’s Clinical Lead for Family and Domestic Violence (FDV), Sheila Fogarty was joined by Joondalup manager Sandra Howard for the End Gender Based Violence – 16 Days in WA Community Event: Breaking the Silence on Family Violence.
Sheila said the lived experience experts were tremendously inspiring and courageous.
“The feeling you are left with is we must all be part of the change needed,” she said.
“We must all walk and work in solidarity in our efforts to end family violence.”
Peel Silent March - Mandurah
Further south some of the Mandurah team members attended the Peel Silent March alongside other services and community members to hear from lived-experience experts about the impact of FDV.
Mandurah manager Donna Ryan-Wallace said it was a privilege to witness the courage of survivors sharing their stories.
“It is hoped that with increased awareness and changing attitudes in the community that we can seek to support those who are in dangerous situations and prevent more losses,” she said.
The 11th Annual Midland March that Matters
Marking the 11th day of 16 Days in WA, Midland Manager Kristy Darnborough led her 11th and final Midland March that Matters as Chair of the Swan Family and Domestic Violence Network. Amongst the mourning this event has always amplified the voices of survivors and celebrating the power of community. The march through Juniper Gardens has grown from a stall in Midland Gate Shopping Centre to close to one thousand people playing their part by demonstrating in support of victims, survivors, families and community in just over a decade.
Kristy said the momentum of the 16 days campaign helps to grow awareness of the issue.
“It always gives me so much hope to see our community come together to walk alongside each other, giving the strong message that there is no excuse for abuse,” she said.
“I really hope one day we won’t need to march and that all women and children will be safe and thriving.”
South Hedland takes action
Kristy’s colleague Rebecca Richards has been busy in the Pilbara region. As a key member of the Hedland Family Violence Action Group Relationships Australia, RAWA South Hedland helped organise seven events across the campaign including barbecues, movie nights, shopping centre installations, and networking functions. These events were designed to help community get to know and connect to service providers if they need them. Rebecca was also instrumental in organising the Hedland Says No to Family and Domestic Violence earlier this year.
Speaking with Triple M radio during the campaign she highlighted the importance of the community coming together to play their part.
“It is on the community and the perpetrators to stop the violence rather than the individual experiencing it, to make the change to leave or to do something else”
“A very common stereotype that still comes through is ‘why didn’t they just leave?’ rather than ‘why didn’t they stop the violence that was occurring?’”
“Community involvement is something that is important and that’s something that is part of the 16 Days this year is ‘playing your part.’”
She said the community stance against FDV is what is needed to support those living through it to come forward for services to be able to accurately identify the need in the community.
“We’ve seen more people come forward prepared to share their experience with DV.”
“People are talking about it – people are recognising what DV is and the different forms that it comes in and are prepared to come forward and share their struggles.”
“By them reaching out to services we have visibility of the number of people requiring the service.”
South Hedland Events:
- 25th November – Aboriginal Family Legal Service organised a Community BBQ which we attended and provided our stall for community
- 28th November – Town of Port Hedland organised a screening of ‘It Ends with Us’ and we provided a stall, gave the event opening speech and provided on-site counselling for the evening
- 4th December – Hedland Family Violence Action Group hosted a shopping centre pop-up display where we engaged members of the public in service awareness
- 4th December – Relationships Australia presented to the Water Corporation on FDV in the workplace and how people can play their part
- 5th/6th December – Relationships Australia hosted Lifeline WA to provide FDV training when working with First Nations (And also attended this training)
- 6th December – Relationships Australia hosted an outdoor screening of ‘Monster Family’
- 10th December – Relationships Australia co-organised and facilitated an industry/sector discussion forum around addressing the issues of FDV in workplaces and communities to strengthen our roles in Hedland to increase people coming forward and decrease violent behaviour
South Hedland's 16 Days in WA campaign foor 2024 was bolstered by a Small Community Grant of $1,100 awarded to them by the Centre for Women's Safety and Wellbeing. The purpse of the 16 Days Small Community Grant program was to build awareness of the importance of addressing the impacts of family and domestic violence through the campaign.
Donation/collection Drive
Ahead of the 16 Days campaign, everyone was invited to participate in a collection drive for a local FDV shelter, with women’s and children’s essentials. Many of our locations collected essential products as well as some luxury items and toys for women and their children in time for Christmas.
Our Commitment
RAWA remains committed to ending FDV. The campaign plays an important part in creating visibility on the issue. But it is what we do next that makes the difference.
We all have a responsibility to play our part to create safer spaces at home, in the workplace, and in the communities. So, how do we do that?
- Call out the behaviour - challenge the behaviours and attitudes that lead to violence.
- Have conversations in our communities – with our friends, families and neighbours
- Join the community to amplify the message through demonstrations and events
- Foster mutual respect and understanding between all genders to prevent coercive control and violence
- Educate our future generations
When we send the message that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our communities – families, friendships, workplaces and neighborhoods, perpetrators stop violence.
As we close the 16 Days in WA take this reminder to continue to play your part to help keep your family and community safe. The small actions we take individually can collectively drive large-scale change.