16 Days of Activism

16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ (Respect Is) initiative coincides with the 16 Days of Activism, encouraging Victorians to call out sexism, sexual harassment and disrespect towards women, when safe to do so.

The initiative aims to support the community in understanding what respect means, what it looks like, and how to put it into practice in their everyday lives. Taking part in the state-wide initiative alongside other councils and community-based agencies provides an opportunity to:

engage our community in conversations about gender equality and respect
support our community to understand what gender equality looks like, how striving for equality can prevent violence against women, and that we all benefit when gender equality exists.

Listen to the voices of our community exploring the meaning of respect.

Respect is standing up for equality.
Respect is creating a future where we are all safe and equal.
Respect is working together to prevent violence against women.
Respect is setting the standard for what is and isn’t acceptable.

How to 'call it out'

‘Call it out’ is a broad term for responding in some way to behaviours that may be deemed sexist, disrespectful, abusive or constitute sexual harassment.

Calling out a friend on their sexist behaviour - ABC Everyday
Calling out elder abuse, Seniors Victoria
Together we’re stronger, Gender Equity Victoria
Online Bystander Intervention - Your Voice Matters! Gender Equity Victoria
Tools to help ‘Call it out’(PDF, 149KB) including different types of bystander action and 16 ways to #callitout
Doing Nothing Does Harm

Fast facts and other resources

Visit the Respect Victoria website.

View Safe and Equal’s Fast Facts Infographic for key data on family violence, gender-based violence and gender equality.

Read Stonnington’s fact sheet on Gender issues and the impact on health(PDF, 247KB)

No excuse for abuse

There is no excuse for family violence, Victoria Police
Tea Consent
Everyday sexism Laura Bates, TedX Talk
Violence against women—it's a men's issue, Jackson Katz at TEDxFiDiWomen
Elder Abuse – Know the signs, Human Rights Association.

Responding to disclosures

What to do when someone tells you they have experienced violence or abuse, White Ribbon Australia.