16 Days in WA - 16 ways to play your part in stopping family and domestic violence

The 16 Days in WA campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) through to 10 December (Human Rights Day) each year. The campaign takes its inspiration from the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
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Support a family member, friend or loved one

 1. Things you can do if a family member, friend, neighbour or co-worker tells you they are experiencing family and domestic violence, including coercive control (or knows someone who is):

  • Take disclosures seriously and believe what they share. Every experience of violence is unique. Remember, domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can also involve financial abuse, sexual abuse, and controlling behaviours described as coercive control.
  • Listen with patience and without judgment. Avoid interrupting or asking too many questions. This can be distressing and potentially re-traumatising.
  • Reassure them the abuse is not their fault. Let them know they are not to blame and seeking help is a courageous and valid step - not an overreaction.
  • Avoid making excuses for the person causing harm. Don’t attribute the abuse to alcohol, drugs, mental health issues, or life pressures.
  • Have helpline numbers readily available. Being prepared with contact details for support services can make a real difference.
  • Offer to help them explore available support options. This could include connecting with services, finding resources, or simply being there as they consider their next steps.
  • Respect their readiness and safety. Understand that leaving may not be safe or possible right now. Avoid pressuring them or judging their decisions—support them where they are..

2. Know how to direct them to the right services:

  • Have helpline numbers and support services on hand to provide, including:
    • Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 007 339.
    • Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 000 599.
    • 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
    • MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
    • Sexual Assault Resource Centre - 1800 199 888
    • In an emergency dial 000
  • Offer to help them explore support services and resources.

If someone shares that they have used violence or controlling behaviours, respond calmly and non-judgmentally. Encourage them to seek support to change their behaviour and offer helpline numbers or services specialising in behaviour change.

More information and resources are available on our coercive control page.

Learn about family and domestic violence and gender-based violence

3. Take time to understand gender-based violence, including coercive control – what it is, recognising the signs, how it impacts individuals, and why it's essential to stand up against violence. Visit our coercive control page and access information and resources at the following links:

4. Build your understanding of financial abuse, including how it affects individuals and what support services and resources are available. Your toolkit is a good starting point. You can also access Bankwest’s information on financial abuse.

5. Explore the reading list curated by the State Library of Western Australia. If you're in a book club, consider sharing a title from the list for the group’s next read.

You can find the reading list on our digital resources page.

Hear from people with lived experience

6. Watch or listen to these impactful stories that put survivors of family and domestic violence at the centre:

Please note – the stories may contain content and themes which some listeners may find distressing.

Take action in your life

7. Join the 35th March Against Domestic and Family Violence on 25 November 2025 at Forrest Chase, Perth. For more information, go to the Centre For Women's Safety and Wellbeing’s page.

8. Consider making a financial contribution or donating items to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence:

The Salvation Army provides escape kits which contain new toiletries for women and children who have had to leave the house quickly due to violence.

  • DV Safe Phone collects, refurbishes, and donates mobile phones to people affected by domestic violence - particularly those receiving unwanted messages from an ex-partner or concerned about their phone being tracked.
  • Mettle Women is a social enterprise that creates gift hampers and trains and employs people who have experienced homelessness due to domestic violence. All profits go towards helping support victim-survivors.
  • Dress for Success Western Australia is a grass roots charity which supports economic independence of WA women in need (including victim-survivors of family and domestic violence). Dressed for Success accepts donations of pre-loved corporate wear and provides a suite of career programs and workshops to support WA women in need.
  • Donate your Containers for Change refund to a relevant charity or cause (choose Human Services in the directory to search for organisations providing services to people experiencing family and domestic violence).

9. Find out whether your workplace has a policy or support program in place to help victim-survivors of family and domestic violence stay safe and remain connected to their work.

•    Refer to the Family and domestic violence at the workplace information sheet.
•    Check out Our Watch’s Workplace Equality and Respect page.
•    Watch this video by the Fair Work Ombudsman to learn about family and domestic violence leave under the National Employment Standards.

10. Start a conversation with your sporting club or organisation about supporting the campaign and what actions to take to address gender-based violence more broadly.

Point them to the Respectful Relationships Sport and Recreation Program and the Equality and Respect in Sport Home: Preventing violence against women developed by Our Watch.

11. Consider offering your time or professional skills to community organisations and services supporting individuals affected by family, domestic, and sexual violence. Your contribution can make a meaningful difference.

  •  RSPCA’s Pets in Crisis program is about fostering and caring for pets of victim-survivors who have had to leave their home due to domestic violence. The program enables the animals to be cared for safely, until the victim-survivor can be reunited with them.
  • For dentist professionals, the Healing Smiles program provides subsidised dental treatment to victims of family and domestic violence.
  • The Worthy Safe Haven program creates beautiful and cozy homes for women and children escaping family and domestic violence. Home design enthusiasts could donate their time or new home décor and furnishings.

12. Talk to your children and other young people in your life about respectful relationships. Check out The Conversation Guide. Help them to recognise red flags like jealousy, manipulation, or control.

13. Speak up and help stop harmful behaviour before it starts.

  • Sexist language, jokes about women, or ideas that devalue them contributes to a culture that tolerates violence. If you hear others saying or doing things that degrade women, call it out. This can make a significant positive difference towards the safety and respect of women and others in our community. 
    If you aren’t comfortable saying something, there are also ways your actions can show you don’t agree with sexism and misogynistic remarks. The following resources can help guide you to call out sexism and gender stereotypes.
  • 5 Ways you can call out your mates for sexist behaviour (for adults and young people aged 14 years or over)
  • 16 ways to ‘call it out' (all age groups)

Always prioritise your safety. These conversations and actions can be challenging and may involve discomfort, but they should never compromise your personal wellbeing or dignity.

Stand firm in your values and remember it takes real courage to follow your beliefs instead of simply going along with the crowd.

Take action online

14. Model respect online.

Think about what you post, share and comment on. Avoid content that promotes violence, misogyny or humiliation. Online behaviour reflects real world values, and it influences others.

Use your platform to influence and promote messages of respect and non-violence. Visibility matters. When we speak out, others listen.

You can also share 16 Days in WA campaign materials on social media.

Get involved in the 16 Days in WA campaign

15. Host or participate in an event or activity to raise awareness.

  • Support a local ‘16 Days in WA’ event – check what’s happening in your area and show your support.
  • Organise a morning tea, roundtable discussion, or ‘lunch and learn’ session to help raise awareness and spark conversations about gender-based violence.
  • Run a fundraising event to support a non-profit organisation that helps women and children stay safe and recover from family and domestic violence.
  • Create a ‘Play Your Part’ wall at your workplace, sporting club or other organisation, encouraging staff and members to commit to actions to show their support in stopping family and domestic violence.
  • Dedicate a sporting match to the cause – invite your local club to raise awareness of gender-based violence by highlighting the issue during a game.
  • Hold a book club session focussed on works dealing with issues of gender-based violence. Use the State Library of Western Australia’s reading list for inspiration.
  • Invite someone who works with a family and domestic violence service to speak at your event. The Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing and Stopping Family Violence can assist with ideas for speakers.

16. Wear something orange, including the campaign badge, throughout the 16 Days in WA campaign to spark conversations about what you’re doing to stop family and domestic violence and prevent violence against women.

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