The 16 days Campaign runs from 25 November until 10 December and aims to get conversations started about gender equality. Here’s what Respect Victoria has to say: “The 'Respect Is' campaign showcases messages of respect, support and equality and will feature stories and messages from everyday Victorians who are creating change in their communities.” You can find out more about the campaign from Respect Victoria.
16 Days of Activism in Indigo 2022
Indigo Shire Council is partnering with the Centre Against Violence and the local health services to support Respect Victoria’s Respect Women: “Call it Out” campaign.
The theme of this year’s state-wide campaign is ‘Respect Women, Call it Out’ (Respect is…) and messages of equality and respect will be highlighted across the Shire and through the following events:
- Chiltern Community BBQ Indigo North Health – supported by the Wodonga Family Violence Unit - Victoria Police, Centre Against Violence, Orange Door - Monday 28 November at 5pm at 11 Main Street, Chiltern.
- Rutherglen Roadshow – Coordinated by Centre Against Violence (CAV), and supported by Orange Door, Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), Seniors Rights Service - Tuesday 6 December at 10am at the Lions Park.
A community leadership campaign has seen active involvement from community members and sporting groups in creating their personal messages of what respect means to them. These images and videos will feature in Council social media and on posters to be displayed throughout the Shire and in Council facilities, as well as right here on the website.
Additionally, the health services are promoting the message by wearing orange 'Respect Women: Call it Out" t-shirts and displaying promotional material over the 16 days. Our Councillors will wear the promotional t-shirts at Council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday 29 November to show their support and solidarity with the campaign.
Supporting venues all around the Shire are taking up the opportunity to have conversation started coasters on hand, asking people to consider what respect looks like to them. The four Indigo Shire libraries will also create visual displays to support the campaign and have purchased a selection of new titles that promote gender equality.
Neil Funston – What is respect?
"I was fortunate in a lot of ways to be bought up in a loving home with 2 wonderful parents and a great sister. My father spent a significant portion of his short life educating me about all things in life, part of that was educating me in the right way to treat women. He led by example, opening doors for mum, standing when a lady came into a room, listening to their opinions. That was the most important part of his teaching. He would say “you must respect the women in your life”. The way you speak to women is the first sign of respect. This means you need to treat the things that she says as important, and not belittle them. Avoid insults, making fun of her, or dismissing what she has to say. Instead, consider it important and take an interest in learning something new from her.
It means we listen to girls and women and respect their opinions. We don't talk over them. We are respectful. Speak kindly.
My view is that we need a generational change. In other words we need to talk to the young men in our lives and teach them what respect looks like. If we can get this generation to change then hopefully they will educate the next generation – sounds easy doesn’t it!"
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.
SAFE STEPS
- 1800 015 188
- A confidential and supportive family violence response line for Victoria. Phone services available 24/7.
- safesteps.org.au
ORANGE DOOR
- Family violence support and safety hubs.
- 60 Reid St, Wangaratta VIC 3677
- orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- 1800 555 660
CENTRE AGAINST VIOLENCE
- A government funded Family Violence and Sexual Assault service located in Wangaratta and Wodonga — with outreach to Myrtleford and Benalla.
- 526 Swift St, Albury NSW 2640 and 29 Templeton St, Wangaratta VIC 3677
- (02) 6021 5773
1800 RESPECT
- 1800 737 732
- The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Phone and online services available 24/7.
- 1800respect.org.au
KIDS HELPLINE
- 1800 55 1800
- Kids Helpline is a counselling service for Australian children and young people aged between five and 25 years. Phone and online services available 24/7.
- kidshelpline.com.au
RAINBOW DOOR
- 1800 729 367
- Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family.
- rainbowdoor.org.au
MEN’S REFERRAL SERVICE
- 1300 766 491
- Men’s Referral Service provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information, and referrals to men, to help them take action to stop using violent and controlling behaviour.
- ntv.org.au
MENS LINE
- 1300 78 99 78
- Professional support and information service for Australian men. Phone and online services available 24/7.
- mensline.org.au
SENIORS RIGHTS VICTORIA
- 1300 368 821
- Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) provides information and advice to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights of older people.
- seniorsrights.org.au