16 Days in WA - Minister's Message

This year is the seventh year of our annual campaign, 16 Days in WA.

The campaign runs from 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

In 2023, our theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play your part.

Family and domestic violence is a scourge on society, and we all have a part to play to end it.

It takes many forms and can include physical, psychological, emotional, sexual and economic abuse.

It occurs in intimate and family relationships and profoundly impacts on the victim-survivors’ safety, wellbeing and economic security.

Family and domestic violence continues to be a significant and unacceptable issue in our community, with almost 30 per cent of women having experienced violence or abuse by a partner since the age of 15. For Aboriginal women, the prevalence of this abuse is even higher.

The Cook Government is determined to stop family and domestic violence in all its forms. We have committed more than $200 million for prevention, early intervention and response programs since 2017, and know there’s more to do together.

This year, we are asking everyone to play their part and take personal or collective action to increase awareness of family and domestic violence, to call out disrespectful behaviour in all areas of our lives and contribute to stopping the cycle of violence.

I invite all Western Australians to support 16 Days in WA. Play your part to bring an end to family and domestic violence.

Hon Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA

Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence