Breaking the cycle

Calling out violence against women

The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed annually on 25 November. It is also the annual launch of 16 days of activism against this violence.

The campaign concludes on 10 December and aims to educate people about the prevalence of violence against women; to mobilise political change; to provide resources that address global issues; and to celebrate the achievements that have been made.

It is a call to action for us to work together to eliminate violence against women and children.

Dianne Gipey, State Manager of The Salvation Army’s Family Violence Services in the Northern Territory and Queensland, says it is essential for all in the community to speak up, take action and not turn a blind eye to violence against women in the community.*

With one woman on average per week in Australia killed by a current or former intimate partner, it is a matter of life and death.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women commemorates the violent beating and assassination on 25 November 1960 of activists (and sisters) Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabel, who were working against a repressive regime in the Dominican Republic.

Calling out domestic and family violence

Nationally in 12 months 2020/21, The Salvation Army provided support to 9,954 women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.

The Salvation Army’s National Family Violence Stream offers specialist family violence services to families and individuals who are experiencing or recovering from family violence, modern slavery and forced marriage, and those who have perpetrated family violence.

Dianne says there is a need for every person in the community to think deeply about what respect for women means personally and practically and to speak up, reach out, and seek help if they suspect situations of coercion and/or violence.

“We need to understand that it is okay to intervene, it is okay to call it out, it is okay to put a name to the violence. We want people to stop being bystanders,” she says.

“While it is important to not put more lives in dangerous situations, it is also important to step up and step in if needed. It starts with thinking about what respect for women means for each of us. Is respect towards women laughing when a boy pulls a girl’s bra strap in school grounds and thinks it’s hilarious? Or is that the start of a disrespect? These things are insidious in our society.

“Maybe it is reaching out to a neighbour and saying, ‘Hey I heard some shouting last night – are you okay? Is there anything I can do?’ It is faith leaders and others acknowledging it is a problem and it is not acceptable. It is not always comfortable or easy, but it is essential,” she says.

*The Salvation Army Australia team works with a National Family Violence Model of Care developed for The Salvation Army by Domestic Violence Victoria – the peak body for specialist family violence response services for victim-survivors in Victoria; No to Violence, working with men to end family violence; Australian Women Against Violence Alliance; and victim survivor representatives. This year, the Salvos have adopted Respect Victoria’s theme for the 16 days of activism campaign – Respect Women. ‘Call it out’.