It's an easy question to ask. It can also be a tricky question to answer.
Later this month, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence returns to help you answer this question. This campaign asks us all to reflect on respect, so that together we can build a community that is safe and equal.
Why? Because unfortunately safety for women is not a given in any community. In fact, one in three women have experienced violence from men.
16 Days of Activism runs from Tuesday 25 November until Wednesday 10 December. There are many events available across the Peninsula that give you the chance to get involved.
Opportunities include a public theatre performance raising awareness of coercive control called Chasing Butterflies, a March Against Gender-Based Violence at the Hastings foreshore, and a workshop for secondary school students by She is Not Your Rehab founder, Matt Brown.
To learn more and find your nearest 16 Days of Activism event, please visit our dedicated webpage: mornpen.vic.gov.au/16days
If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of family violence, please visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/familyviolencehelp
16 Days of Activism
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence started back in 1991. Three decades on, this has become a global campaign that encourages action to end gender-based violence.
Our commitment
16 Days of Activism is aligned to the Mornington Peninsula Shire's Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2030 to prevent violence against women and their children.
Supporting local councils
The Victorian Government, through Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal, is supporting local councils, statewide and regional women's health services and their prevention partnerships to run events and activities across the state during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:
"Respect is building healthy, equal relationships. Let's make it clear that violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable. It all starts with respect."
