16 Days of Activism campaign to prevent violence against women

Hepburn Shire Council is proud to participate in this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Victoria from 25 November to 10 December.  

This year’s campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women.  

More than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every 10 days, and in 2024 that number is much higher.  

Bradley Thomas, Hepburn Shire CEO, said that this campaign is a sobering reminder of the violence perpetrated against women in our communities. Safety and respect for all people should be a given, but devastatingly, it’s not. 

“Council is a strong advocate for the prevention of violence. In 2020, we adopted a Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Leadership Statement,” he said. 

“We condemn violent behaviour as inexcusable, preventable and simply unacceptable. Council has committed to being a leader and an advocate to address social issues that impact the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Mr Thomas. 

Respect Victoria’s Chair Kate Fitz-Gibbon said, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Violence against women is preventable. This 16 Days of Activism and beyond, we have an opportunity to come together to progress a future where all Victorians are safe, equal and respected.” 

“To eliminate men’s violence against women we need to address the harmful attitudes and behaviours that drive violence in society. Importantly, everyone has a role to play. This 16 Days of Activism let’s work together to challenge harmful ideas about gender and power, and to create a future where all women live free from violence,” said Professor Fitz-Gibbon.  

Council will be marking this important campaign with the following activities: 

• Hepburn Libraries will run an interactive craft display during 16 Days of Activism, whereby all members of the public can post messages of ‘What Respect means to them’ 

• Throughout 16 days, our libraries will be offering free Orange ribbon pins for individuals to wear in support of the campaign. 

• Hepburn Shire Council has purchased 21 books from the recommendations of 16 Days of Activism for Hepburn Libraries that were not previously available to borrow through our libraries. These and other available titles on the themes of Respect, Equality, Confronting Domestic Violence will be on display at our libraries during the 16 Days of Activism. The 16 Days of Activism book recommendation list for kids, teens and adults will be available for patrons. 

• 16 days value-based messaging campaign throughout Council socials and email banners 

• 16 Days magnets on work vehicles. 

You can read Council’s Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Leadership Statement at https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Residents/Public-health/Family-violence  

For more information visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au. For local activities, head to the Safe and Equal website for the community calendar of events happening across the state, and the Respect Victoria website for tips and tools.