Respect: where do you stand?
Everyone deserves to be safe, equal and respected. And we know disrespectful attitudes are a driver of men’s violence against women.
That’s why, for this years’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, we are encouraging our community to become active bystanders and call out disrespect when they see it in their everyday lives and online.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign led annually by UN Women. It runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), recognising that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in the world.
Our ‘Respect: where do you stand’ campaign highlights the importance of bystander action to help create a respectful and safer community. A bystander is someone who witnesses disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour. An active bystander is someone who does something when they witness this behaviour.
Active bystanders have a powerful role in helping to change attitudes and behaviours that allow disrespect, harassment and violence towards women to occur.
And even small actions can make a big difference. This may include giving a disapproving look, using a light-hearted comment or question to express disapproval. It can also include speaking out, checking in with the victim/target, offering support or reporting the behaviour.
Bystander action does not involve physically restraining someone or responding in a way that is hostile or aggressive or likely to escalate the situation.
Active bystanders notice the situation, recognise that something is wrong, feel responsible to act, decide what to do and intervene safely.
Doing nothing is saying the behaviour is OK.
Author talk: Jane Gilmore at St Kilda Library
As part of our 16 Days of Activism program, St Kilda Library will be hosting a conversation with Jane Gilmore about her latest book, “Fairy Tale Princesses Will Kill Your Children.”
Jane Gilmore, author of “Fixed It” and “Teaching Consent,” takes aim at fairy tale princesses and hits right at the heart of the myths that underpin women’s poverty and men’s violence. Through a piercing combination of analysis and storytelling, Jane Gilmore peels back the layers of enchantment and exposes the ugly truth behind the fairy tales that have been embedded in our culture over centuries of telling and retelling.
Jane will be at the library on from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm on 30 November. Book your place here: Author Talk: Jane Gilmore Tickets, St Kilda Library, St Kilda | TryBooking Australia.
St Kilda Library and other Port Phillip libraries will also have book lists, badges, bookmarks, posters and other materials available for you to show your support for ending gender-based violence and promoting the 16 Days of Activism.
For more on the campaign and further resources: Family violence – City of Port Phillip
Help and Support
If you are worried about someone, or need to seek help yourself, please contact one of the support services below.
In an emergency or if you are or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000 for Police and/or Ambulance assistance.
The following crisis and counselling services are available 24/7:
- 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732 or visit Home | 1800RESPECT
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre Call 1800 015 188 or visit Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 24/7 support for Victorians
- Kids Helpline Call 1800 55 1800 or visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/
- MensLine Australia Call 1300 78 99 78 or visit https://mensline.org.au.
