Background
From 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, individuals and communities across Western Australia have an opportunity to show their support for ending violence against women, including family, domestic and sexual violence through 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women (16 Days in WA).
Our campaign draws inspiration from the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international initiative to end violence against women and girls across the world.
In Western Australia, 16 Days in WA aims to raise awareness, motivate positive action and highlight organisations, agencies, communities and individuals taking action to end violence against women.
The campaign is a State Government initiative which began in 2017.
Key messages
- Violence against anyone is unacceptable.
- We all have a responsibility to stop family and domestic violence.
- Stopping family and domestic violence means promoting gender equality and respectful relationships.
- Play your part to help keep your family and community safe.
Facts and statistics
- One in six Australian women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous partner since the age of 15.
- In 2022, 37% of homicide and related offences in WA were family and domestic violence related (18 victims).
- In 2022, the number of victims of assault in WA increased by 7% to 38,743 victims, the highest number in 30 years. Sixty-four per cent of assaults were family and domestic violence related (24,896 victims).
- Intimate partners are responsible for almost 80 per cent of the hospitalisations of women from family and domestic violence in WA, with 20 per cent of perpetrators being other family members.
- Family and domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children — 51.5% of women and 37% of young people accessing homelessness services sought assistance because of experiences of domestic violence.
- Only 64% of Australians recognised that men are more likely to be perpetrators of domestic violence.
- Up to 30% of Australians think that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry he hits her without meaning to.
- Nearly 42% of Australians think that a lot of what is called family and domestic violence is really just a normal reaction to day-to-day stress and frustration.
- Up to 30% of Australians think family and domestic violence can be excused if, afterwards, the violent person genuinely regrets what they have done.
- Two in five Australians do not know where to access help for a domestic violence issue.
Did you know?
- Family violence continues to be a driver of gender inequality, including in the areas of employment, participation and financial security.
- Family and domestic violence is also the leading cause of homelessness for women and children and a significant factor impacting health, inclusion and participation for people with disability.
- Family and domestic violence is experienced at disproportionately high rates by Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse women and children, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTIQ+.
- Technology-facilitated abuse is a form of domestic, family and sexual violence in which perpetrators control, stalk and harass their victims using digital technology.
- There are still concerning proportions of people whose attitudes undermine women’s leadership, reinforce rigid gender role, limit women’s personal autonomy, normalise sexism and deny gender inequality is a problem.
- In 2021, the National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey found that:
- 1 in 5 Australians believe domestic violence is a normal reaction to day-to-day stress, and that sometimes a woman can make a man so angry he hits her without meaning to
- 1 in 4 Australians believe that if a woman does not leave her abusive partner then she is responsible for the violence continuing
- 2 in 5 Australians would not know where to access help for a domestic violence issue.
