People making change
In 2023, we are shining a light on the everyday West Australians who are making a difference in the lives of people experiencing family and domestic violence.
Family and domestic violence is prevalent across our community. We can all play a part in raising awareness and supporting those around us. Everybody – regardless of age, gender, profession or post code can make a difference.
You can get informed about what family and domestic violence is, its many forms and impacts and know where to go for information about helplines and support services. You can speak up and disagree with sexist comments or people normalising violence. You can teach children and young people about respect, both for themselves and each other. And you can advocate for change when you see injustices like sexism, racism and homophobia.
Every action, however small, is important. And together we can make a big difference.
We also want to acknowledge the change makers in our community who through their jobs, or leadership, are taking direct action on stopping family and domestic violence.
This includes our refuge support workers who provide a safe place for people escaping family and domestic violence with have nowhere else to go.
It includes our first responders in police, 000 call takers and paramedics who are responding to crises and emergencies on a daily basis.
It includes allied professionals like lawyers and financial counsellors who support victim survivors with specialist advice about their options for safety and protection through the courts and helping unpick the impacts of financial abuse as a practical way to support victim survivors to get back on their feet and keep moving toward empowerment.
These are the people on the frontline, who understand the challenges faced by victims and survivors.
The contribution these people make is often hidden but can be lifesaving.
Colleen Hayward
Show moreI play my part by intervening where it’s appropriate and where it is safe for me to do so.
It’s important that everyone in the community plays their part.
Without everyone doing that, there will be some people who miss out on support. There will be some who feel alone. There will be some who don’t know there are other ways, either express themselves, or to be treated. It is really important for us all.
16 Days in WA is really important to me. I know that we can all get busy with the other things in our lives. I know that sometimes we can forget to be as caring of others as we could and should be all the time.
The fact that there is a focus allows us all to think and talk together so that collectively we can improve the circumstances of all of us.
Col Blanch
Show moreOur police are there to respond to calls of family violence and hold perpetrators to account. We do this with the immediate response and then work collaboratively with our partner agencies.
In contributing to this collective effort, it's essential to recognise the role we all play. The Western Australian Police Force is committed to responding promptly to reports of family violence, ensuring swift action, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. This involves not only immediate response but also collaborative efforts with partner agencies.
By working together, we aim to address the complexities of family violence comprehensively and strive for a safer, more secure community for all. Your awareness, support, and cooperation are crucial as we navigate the challenges posed by family violence and work towards a safer future.
During 16 Days in Western Australia, we are able to collectively pause and contemplate the profound impact of senseless acts of family violence, which tragically continues to result in lives lost.
This period serves as a reminder to all of us to reach out and support those affected by family violence. Remember, assistance is readily accessible through the Domestic Violence Hotline or WA Police at 131 44.
If you see something, say something. In urgent cases, please dial 000. Together, we can make a stand against family violence and ensure that help is within reach for those in need.
# Play your part
Helen
Show moreI play my part by helping keep women and children safe from family and domestic violence. It’s important for everybody in the community to play their part in ending violence against women.
Family and domestic violence rates are significantly increasing and this is the number one cause of homelessness in women and children. Gender inequality creates the social conditions to allow violence against women to continue. This is unacceptable.
Collectively, we need to all take action, it is everyone’s responsibility to call out the gender inequalities and to say no to family and domestic violence.
The 16 Days in WA campaign supports individuals and communities to speak out about violence against women. It encourages advocacy, inspires support and engages communities to take positive action in ending violence against women. Play your part.
Anna Farrant
Show moreI play my part as a lawyer standing up for the voices and experiences of women through the legal system to ensure that they’re kept safe and their stories are honoured.
It’s important for everyone in the community to play their part in stopping family and domestic violence simply because it can affect anyone in our families and our communities, and we all have a role to play in keeping everyone safe.
16 Days in WA is to me a really important opportunity to have these conversations with each other, with our families and communities, but also as a whole broader community about what we can do to keep everyone safe.
Sharon Davies
Show moreI play my part by being the triple 000 call taker, the calm, reassuring voice at the end of the line that will get you the correct help when you need it the most.
It’s important for everyone in the community to play their part in helping to stop family and domestic violence.
We need to have those difficult conversations and we all need to be aware and support each other, not just us from triple 000, but everyone in the community can help.
The 16 Days in WA campaign means for me that I can play my part in being there to help, to raise awareness and be supportive to those that need it.
Alisha Aitken-Radburn
Show moreI play my part by educating myself about the signs of abuse and control, so if I see something, or someone comes to me with a concern, I know how to help them in the best way possible.
It is important that everyone plays their part because the scourge of family and domestic violence is not something that can be addressed alone.
Every piece of the puzzle is important - from breaking down the gender binaries that feed into violent behaviour, to having the support systems in place to make sure people can get help when they need help.
16 Days in WA keeps the urgent need to stop family and domestic violence top of mind for all of us. Family and domestic violence does not discriminate.
We all need to play our part to make sure the people around us feel safe, secure and supported.
Karina Price
Show moreI play my part by making sure my team and my people have the right tools and resources to support customers when they need it.
It’s really important that we all play our part, no matter who we are, where we work because we’re all in this together. No one can do this alone. We will have better success if we work together.
16 Days in WA to me is all about raising awareness and helping people have the confidence to ask for help, to seek help, to ask questions and to think about how they can support others.
Levinia Hugo
Show moreI play my part by working for the WA Police force in helping victims of family violence and holding perpetrators to account.
It’s important that everyone plays their part when dealing with family violence.
It’s really important that if you know someone is suffering family violence, that you contact police or the various helplines that are available.
16 Days in WA is an opportunity for us as a community to prevent family violence and to remember the victims who have lost their lives to family violence.
As a community we need to come together and stop family violence.
Merlene
Show moreI play my part by providing financial counselling for women who have fled from financial abuse and domestic violence.
It is very important that people play their part in the communities, even if you just observe and be aware of what is going on around you.
It could be your neighbour, family or friends, just lend a helping hand and be there for some kind of support that they need.
16 Days in WA means that we are reminded to be aware of what’s going on around us, in our neighbourhoods, at schools and in our workplaces.
