All 79 Victorian councils will this year join 18 NGOs in supporting Respect Victoria to deliver its Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign, 25 November to 10 December, which will coincide with the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) and Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) will provide their expertise and reach through their networks.
The campaign this year aims to support people to understand what respect looks like, why respect is important and how to put respect into practice in their everyday lives.
Councillor Josh Gilligan, interim President of the MAV, said, “We know that men’s violence against women is more likely to occur in an environment where women are disrespected, undervalued and discriminated against.
“We are encouraging people to ‘call it out’ when they witness disrespect towards women and when it is safe to do so.”
Tania Farha, CEO of DV Vic/DVRCV, said, “The strength of this initiative is that many councils and community organisations are working in partnership with other councils, women’s health services, victim survivors, specialist family violence organisations, libraries and local businesses as part of a locally coordinated approach to the 16 Days campaign.”
Victorian councils and NGOs are implementing a great mix of activities and events to engage their communities in conversations about ‘respect’ during the 16 Days, including webinars and expert panel discussions, multilingual social media campaigns, public art competitions, online storytelling, bystander action training, videos of local leaders talking about ‘respect’, installing giant signs and lighting up buildings in orange.
