16 Days of action to stop violence against women

  • Premier joins the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence to launch the 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women campaign
  • McGowan Government-led campaign aims to raise awareness and educate the WA community about how they can make a positive difference
  • WA Police respond to a family or domestic violence-related activity every eight minutes
  • Premier Mark McGowan and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk will today launch the 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women campaign for 2019.

    They will be joined by more than 100 business, community and government leaders for the launch, which marks the beginning of 16 days of actions and events – many of which will be led by the Western Australian community.

    The campaign, now in its third year, aims to raise community awareness about family and domestic violence and educate people about what they can do or say to help save lives.

    The statistics on gender-based violence in WA continue to be stark. During the 2018-19 financial year:

    • 65,609 family and domestic violence-related tasks were logged by WA Police. This equates to, on average, 180 tasks a day in which family or domestic violence was a factor;
    • 47,732 reported family and domestic violence incidents were investigated by police;
    • 22,142 police orders were issued to protect victims of family violence; and
    • 21,380 incidents in which children were exposed to family violence were recorded (a daily average of 59 incidents taking place with children present).

    16 Days in WA starts today (November 25) – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – and ends on December 10, which is Human Rights Day.

    As part of the 16 Days in WA campaign, 17 landmarks across the State will be lit up in orange (the campaign’s theme colour), while government, business and community organisations will run events and online campaigns to promote awareness of the issues surrounding violence against women. 

    Further information and 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women resources can be found at: https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/projects/16-days-in-wa/

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “Violence against women in all its forms is unacceptable. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘speak out’ and we ask you to join us in taking action.

    “16 Days in WA is an opportunity to start conversations with your family, friends and colleagues and help in raising awareness of the impact gender-based violence has on our community.

    “Stopping violence against women is about respectful relationships and building safer communities for all.

    “By working together, we can stop violence against women and children.”

    As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:

    “It’s an uncomfortable truth that women remain more likely than men to experience violence from a person known to them and in their own home. This violence is unacceptable and simply needs to stop.

    “Women should be safe in their homes, relationships, workplaces, where they learn and out in the community.

    “On average, WA Police respond to a family and domestic violence-related matter every eight minutes.

    “Government can’t solve this issue alone. We need business, community services and individuals to join with us to change the conversation that allows violence against women to go unchallenged.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.