Council to illuminate the 16 Days of Activism campaign

Published on 19 November 2024

Corangamite Shire Council is proud to participate in this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Victoria.

This year’s campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women.

For the duration of the campaign, Council will fly the Respect Victoria flag on the Community Flagpole, and the Camperdown Clocktower and Courthouse will be lit up in orange each night.

Reusable shopping bags will be distributed to grocery stores around the Shire which are free for residents and displays key contact information for those needing support.

Mayor Kate Makin would also like to remind the community that they can donate their old mobile phones to help violence survivors.

“We are continuing our partnership with DV Safe Phone to provide Authorised Phone Drop locations around the Shire.” Cr Makin said.

“If you have any working mobile phones that you no longer use, please consider donating them. You can help make a positive difference in the lives of those experiencing family violence.

“Donated phones are erased, refurbished and then provided to survivors as a safe and private way to reach out for support.

“We have DV Safe Phone drop off points at our Camperdown, Cobden, Derrinallum, Terang and Timboon library branches.”

More than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every 10 days, and in 2024 that number is much higher. Safety for women is not a given in any community – and neither is respect.

Respect Victoria’s Chair Kate Fitz-Gibbon says it all starts with attitudes and respect.

“To eliminate men’s violence against women we need to address the harmful attitudes and behaviours that drive violence in society. Importantly, everyone has a role to play. This 16 Days of Activism let’s work together to challenge harmful ideas about gender and power, and to create a future where all women live free from violence.” Professor FitzGibbon said.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Corangamite Shire is committed to working with local and statewide services to reduce family violence and its impacts on communities.

Council is also leading the way in addressing family violence and violence against women with a three-year funded program in partnership with Family Safe Victoria, the Municipal Association of Victoria and Local Government Victoria to address the drivers of family violence and violence against women in our Shire.

For more information go to safeandequal.org.au or respectvictoria.vic.gov.au or www.dvsafephone.org

If you need help you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 7328.