It is time to say no to violence at home, with the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women campaign starting this week.
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Recently, representatives from Staying Home Leaving Violence, SEWACS Caroline Long and Tahnee Austin were handing out coasters and t-shirts to clubs and pubs around the Bega Valley for the 16 days of activism.
The campaign runs from White Ribbon Day on November 25.
“The aim is to raise awareness of violence around women and children in the hope to eventually eradicate it,” Ms Long said.
“It will make people aware violence in our society will not be tolerated.
“There is no such thing as a bystander, it is everyone’s responsibility to speak out.”
There is no such thing as a bystander, it is everyone’s responsibility to speak out.
- Caroline Long, Staying Home Leaving Violence
According to the International Violence Against Women Survey 2004, 57 per cent of Australian women surveyed reported experiencing at least one incident of physical or sexual violence.
Statistics quoted by the Bega Valley Domestic and Sexual Violence Committee said one in four Australian women will experience domestic and family violence at some stage in their life.
Also, more than one-third of all domestic and family violence incidents reported to the DoCS Domestic Violence Line are witnessed by children and/or young people.
The days of activism start with a White Ribbon Day street stall in Ayres Walkway, Bega from 9am-12pm.
On December 8 there will be the Walk Against Violence for everyone at Kiss’s Lagoon, Bega from 11.15am.
At the march, 60 crosses will be carried to signify women and children who have lost their lives to violence this year.
The crosses will be planted in Littleton Gardens followed by a minute’s noise to signify not staying silent about domestic violence.
Also, peace posters that raise awareness of how all violence is unacceptable will be displayed at the Bega library from November 25 to December 10.
The posters are by children and young people.
Since it started in 1991, more than 1700 organisations in 130 countries have participated in 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women to help raise awareness that violence against women is a violation of human rights.