The Mercury supports the Women’s Network Hunter campaign to stand up against domestic violence and is calling on its readers to do the same.
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The network has created daily calls to action during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, which everyone should take part in.
The 16 Days of Activism began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and concludes on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
The first three days involved wearing a white ribbon or the colour orange to show symbolic support, contacting local councils to find out their domestic violence policies and writing to the attorney general and justice minister asking them to review the local court system.
Monday is day four, a day to discuss the issue of domestic violence with a friend.
The day five activity is to watch a video of sociologist Dr Michael Flood, who is involved in domestic violence prevention research.
The impact of violence on children is the topic on day six and the women’s network will hold a luncheon on day seven, with guest speaker Kellie Mills, who founded the 100 Alice Project.
Day eight and nine ask people to start a discussion about domestic violence myths and call out victim blaming. The action on day 10 is to practice reflecting these behaviours in interactions with others.
Day 11 looks at social media and online safety, then people are asked to talk about this with their children on day 12.
Education about stalking will feature on day 13 – what it is and what to do.
People are asked to write to their state MP on day 14 to ask them to provide more affordable housing for women and children escaping violence.
Day 15 addresses the question “why doesn’t she leave?” and calls on people to discuss it.
The final day points to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and asks people to reflect on the fact that domestic violence is a human rights violation.
The women’s network should be commended on their proactive plan to address the issue of domestic violence in the Hunter.
This is a movement everyone should get behind.
It could save someone’s life.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WomensNetworkHunter.
