Content Warning: Please note the content below talks about some topics which might be distressing for some people. Please consider this prior to reading, and access support as required.
The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign to prevent gender-based violence.
It commences with the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Read more about the 16 Days of Activism Campaign in the Vice Chancellors’ all-student message.
This year during 16 Days, La Trobe is focusing on violence against women with a disability, acknowledging that they experience higher rates of violence, some unique forms of violence, and significant barriers to reporting and seeking support.
4 Ways You Can Engage
Here are 4 ways in which you can engage with the 16 Days of Activism Campaign at La Trobe to stand in solidarity with both our themes:
- Attend La Trobe’s 16 Days of Activism – Picturing Respect Photography Exhibition Openings
This year, the Respectful Communities team ran a photography competition calling on members of the La Trobe community to depict what respect means to them. See the winning pictures here.
You can view all photo entrants on both the Bendigo and Melbourne (Bundoora) Campuses and attend the launch of the exhibitions. Come along and hear from the Respectful Communities team and photo winners, immerse yourself in the thought-provoking displays, enjoy a catered lunch and pick up some resources. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about gender-based violence and where to report inappropriate behaviour at La Trobe.
- Register for the Melbourne (Bundoora) Launch – Thursday 30 November, 12 pm – 1 pm
- Register for the Bendigo Launch – Monday 4 December, 12 pm – 1 pm
2. Learn about why women with a disability experience higher rates of violence
Women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence than women without disabilities and have unique challenges when it comes to seeking support.
This factsheet looks at some of the statistics regarding violence against women with disabilities, and can be shared with health professionals, support workers and anyone who works with women with disability.
- Women with Disability Victoria Factsheet [PDF Document]
- Women with Disability Victoria Factsheet [Word Document]
Respectful Communities runs a variety of training available for students. View our website to see mental health training, LGBTIQA+ Ally training and more. You can also complete the Respectful Behaviour and Culture Module on the LMS.
4. Learn about Djirra
Djirra is an organisation dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, especially those facing family violence and systemic discrimination. They provide culturally safe services, including advocacy and counselling, to support the well-being, legal rights, and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Djirra does this within Indigenous communities through holistic programs and community engagement designed predominantly by Aboriginal women.
They’ve created a series of short videos about women’s safety in relationships
Watch out next week for four more ways you can get involved in the 16 Days of Activism Campaign
Support Services for students
- Safer Community – Safer Community is a free, confidential support service for students and staff to report concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour they may have experienced or witnessed at the University. Safer Community can refer to other services.
- Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion – free and confidential mental health and wellbeing services for students.
- La Trobe’s Out of Hours Crisis Line. Call: 1300 146 307 or Text: 0488 884 100
(5.00 pm–9.00 am weekdays, 24 hours including weekends and public holidays).