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16 days of Activism

  • Writer: Monocle Data
    Monocle Data
  • Nov 26, 2019
  • 3 min read

The 25th of November marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with the 16 day campaign ending on the 10th of December, Human Rights Day.


These beginning and ending dates are not a coincidence. Domestic violence is a profound breach of human rights and a serious issue that disproportionately affects women around the world. The UN estimates that 35% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner or sexual abuse from a non-intimate partner at some point in their lives.


The cost of this violence for the Australian community was estimated at $13.6 billion per year. By 2021, the figure is likely to rise to $15.6 billion if further action is not taken. This of course fails to encompass the severe effects on the individuals who experience it with one in six Australian women having experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.


The Federal Government has spent more than $700 million over the past decade on research and support services for victims of domestic violence on top of existing State and Territory funding. This was done in accordance with a set of recommendations and funding priorities to address the situation outlined in The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.


An auditor-general report found that the plan was not on track to meet its set objectives, including the target to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault in Australia. This is shown with the number of reported incidences of domestic violence in Australia continuing to rise in addition to the burden on support services.


It is also acknowledged that performance evaluations of this plan and other domestic violence support programs are complex. Domestic violence laws and legislation vary across states and territories, there are difficulties in measuring and defining cases, prevalent inaccurate incident reporting or not reporting at all and stigma surrounds the issue. These challenges mean the rise in reports and number of people accessing services still does not reflect all incidences of domestic violence in Australia.


How can we do better as a nation? We will investigate this in upcoming posts but there are many practical ways you can help, such as:


  • Donate funds and/or goods to services and shelters

  • Volunteer your time for fundraising and events

  • Speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women and encourage others to do so

  • Educate yourself and those around you on the issue

  • Get your workplace, school, university or TAFE and community involved


To this end, Monocle Data is currently working with a local grass-roots organisation which supports women who have been victimised by domestic violence. We will assist with the evaluation of their support programs and work with them to facilitate greater transparency, peer review publications and capacity-building of their invaluable work. Not only will this provide evidence-based improvements to the programs but will also assist in further defining a national ‘successful intervention’ and measuring its positive impact on victims, families and communities. Stay tuned.


Please see the links below to access national support services and for further information on how you can help.


Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria:


Domestic Violence New South Wales:


Friends with Dignity Australia:


 
 
 

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