Canberra has marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a renewed push from government and frontline services to address what leaders describe as unacceptable levels of gender-based violence across the ACT.

Today also launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign running until 10 December.

Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, said the day is a reminder of the scale of violence that women and girls in Australia experience: one in three women is subjected to physical violence, and one in four to sexual violence, since the age of 15.

“This is an opportunity to reaffirm the ACT Government’s commitment to building a safer community and improving system responses for people experiencing violence right now,” she said.

She encouraged Canberrans to take part in events and discussions throughout the 16-day campaign, including Djirra’s 16 Days of ACTIVEism Walk; panel discussions on women’s safety (YWCA on 5 December, DVCS on 8 December); the Zonta Club’s Peace Bell ceremony (10 December); and public illuminations.

“Through education, advocacy and everyday conversations, everyone can contribute to ending domestic, family and sexual violence in our community,” Dr Paterson said.

The ACT Government’s work underway includes a 10-year, evidence-based ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy; integrated service responses; behaviour-change programs for people who use violence; and community education campaigns that have increased awareness of coercive control in the ACT ahead of law reform.

“The ACT Government remains dedicated to addressing domestic, family and sexual violence by ensuring victim-survivors can access the support they need, and by holding people who use violence accountable while providing them with pathways to change their behaviour,” Dr Paterson said.

Frontline service warns system still falling short

The Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) warned that an overstretched and fragmented service system is still failing survivors.

CEO Sue Webeck said: “When we take the time to reflect on the reality for those experiencing gender-based violence in our community, it should push us to be bolder and more sustained in our efforts. Everyone should be able to live a life free from violence.”

Ms Webeck pointed to national attitudinal data showing that many Australians continue to hold beliefs that condone violence, and said that ACT response and prevention systems are “still left wanting”.

“Despite bipartisan commitments to better outcomes, many survivors of domestic and family violence in the territory are still waiting too long for responses from a disjointed service sector,” she said. “The hope of an integrated and connected systems response – from stopping violence before it starts, to crisis services, criminal justice processes, through to healing and recovery – is still yet to be realised.

“We remain in a situation that means organisational time is spent trying to respond to bureaucratic processes and stopping people from falling through the cracks of an under-resourced service system. The entire system owes so much more to survivors. Those working on the frontline witness this reality every day, but we are not in the rooms deciding what the nation and territory spend their money on.”

Ms Webeck urged the community to stay engaged. “There will not be a person in this city whose community is untouched by domestic and family violence, and we must all play our part to change the horrendous reality of violence in our community.”

Get Help Now

If you’re experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence there are specialist services that can help: https://www.act.gov.au/community/domestic-family-and-sexual-violence/get-help-now.

Support Services Contacts

Local supports

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Who: Anyone impacted by domestic, and family violence
Ph: 02 9280 0900
W: dvcs.org.au

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual violence
Ph: 02 6247 2525
W: crcc.org.au

Multicultural Hub Canberra
Who: Anyone with a multicultural background
Ph: 02 6100 4611
W: mhub.org.au

Victim Support ACT (VSACT) including VSACT specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach program
Ph: 1800 8222 72 or 02 6205 2222
W: victimsupport.act.gov.au

ACT Policing
Who:Anyone who requires police assistance.
Ph: 131 444
Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger
W: police.act.gov.au/online-services

24/7 Hotlines

1800 Respect
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
W: 1800respect.org.au

Full Stop Australia
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP)
W: fullstop.org.au

Lifeline
Who: Anyone who is feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or having difficulty coping or staying safe
Ph: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au

13YARN
Who: Anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who requires support for any reason.
Ph: 13 92 76
W: 13yarn.org.au

Legal Supports

Women’s Legal Centre ACT
Ph: 02 6257 4377

Legal Aid ACT Family and Personal Violence Unit
Ph: 1300 654 314 or 02 6207 1874

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Family Violence Prevention Unit
Ph: 02 6120 8850