Today marks the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

The United Nations campaign is bookended by the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Human Rights Day.

Orange is the colour of the campaign, representing a future free from violence.

More news:

The COVID-19 pandemic might have prevented large gatherings in-person, including Bendigo's annual walk against violence, but a momentum is gathering behind a packed calendar of online offerings.

They include webinars, information sessions and a virtual walk.

The Bendigo region's events officially kick off with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony at 11am on Wednesday, which will be streamed live on the Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Facebook page.

Other highlights include an information session featuring investigative journalist Jess Hill, author of 2020 Stella Prize winner 'See What You Made Me Do', at 2pm on December 1.

The Bendigo region is entering a team in the statewide Walk Against Family Violence, with participants encouraged to walk in their local area.

There will also be a number of displays in Bendigo, ranging from bold showcases in the Conservatory Gardens to delicate yarn flowers discreetly placed throughout the city.

Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Committee chair Margaret Singe said the 16 Days of Activism were an opportunity for community members to demonstrate their support and to hear about the work being done.

"We want to see our community participating and encourage them to share images of themselves getting involved to the Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Facebook page," Ms Singe said.

She said the COVID-19 restrictions had focused attention on family violence.

UN Women described violence against women as "the shadow pandemic", with data indicating a rise in calls to helplines in many countries since the spread of COVID-19.

The state government reported a 66 per cent increase in calls to national support service 1800 RESPECT between April and June, compared to the same period last year.

Bendigo-based agencies also reported an increase in demand for help after an initial - and worrying - drop in calls after restrictions were imposed.

Ms Singe expected a huge increase once restrictions were further relaxed.

Related:

Victorian family violence prevention minister Gabrielle Williams on Friday launched a campaign illustrating the importance of leading with respect and equality in all relationships.

"This is how we drive down family violence," Ms Williams said.

The Respect Women: Call it out (Respect is) campaign will feature on TV, radio, print and digital media.

All 79 Victorian local councils are involved in the campaign, along with 18 non-government organisations.

Forty-five women have died by violence so far in 2020, according to Destroy the Joint.

They include 23-year-old Victorian woman Celeste Manno, whose body was discovered in her Mernda home last week.

Ms Singe encouraged anyone experiencing violence, or concerned for someone else, to seek support.

Resources include:

In an emergency, phone 000.

Events below as listed by the Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Committee:

Bendigo Conservatory Gardens, Pall Mall

The Conservatory will be lit up orange each night to show that Bendigo says no to family violence. Orange is the colour designated by the United Nation's 'UNiTE to End Violence campaign with the colour representing an optimistic future free from violence for all. It is also the colour chosen by the 'Victoria against Violence' program. View a display of orange cut outs in the Conservatory Gardens representing the victims of family violence. Enjoy the floral display of marigolds in the shape of a ribbon against family violence.

Daily Quiz

Join in the daily quiz on the committee's Facebook page. There will be a question every day during the 16 Days of Activism. See how many you can get correct

Yarn Bombers

Local yarn bombers have made orange yarn flowers with a message 'I say no to violence'. Post a picture to the committee's Facebook page if you are lucky enough to find one of the flowers.

Bin stickers

Two thousand stickers have been distributed throughout our community for people to put on their waste bins. Do you have one or have you seen one? Post a picture to the committee's Facebook page if you have!

Violence Prevention Displays

A number of organisations and cafes have a violence prevention display. Have you seen them? If so, post a picture to the committee's Facebook page!

Bendigo Library Display

If you are in the Bendigo Library over the 16 Days of Activism make sure you check out their Violence Prevention display

Virtual Walk

Sign up for our Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence team virtual walk to end violence: https://walk.safesteps.org.au/greaterbendigoagainstfamilyviolence

Remember to post photos of your walk on the committee's Facebook page and email them to publicaffairs@bendigohealth.org.au to be included in the Bendigo Health virtual walk.

Saturday November 21

Emu Valley Cricket Association is hosting a showcase violence prevention cricket round between United Cricket Club and Marong Cricket Club.

Wednesday November 25

11am

Launch of '16 Days of Activism' by Traditional Owner, Trent Nelson with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony live on the committee's Facebook page.

Thursday November 26

11am

Thorne Harbour Health's specialist Family Violence unit will host 'Against All Odds: Stories of Recovery from the LGBTI+ Community' webinar. For registration details, visit the Eventbrite page.

2pm

Release of a special family violence edition of the Ambedo Magazine developed by young people through the support of Yo Bendigo on the committee's Facebook page.

Friday November 27

11am

Release of the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council's video on Violence Prevention on the committee's Facebook page.

2pm

Release of the VicHealth video titled 'Breaking free from outdated rules' on the committee's Facebook page.

Saturday November 28

11am

Release of Maiden Gully Marist Cricket Club's video showcasing their commitment to Violence Prevention on the committee's Facebook page.

Monday November 30

2pm

Release of Bendigo Community Health Services and Centre for Non-Violence 'Bendigo Family Violence and Domestic Violence' campaign on the committee's Facebook page.

Tuesday December 1

2pm

Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence, Loddon Mallee Women's Health and City of Greater Bendigo are co-hosting a webinar with Australian journalist Jess Hill who has been researching and writing about Family Violence since 2014. In 2019, Jess released the book titled 'See What You Made Me Do' which puts perpetrators and the systems that enable them under the spotlight. For registration details, visit the Eventbrite page.

Wednesday December 2

11am

Release of '5 minutes with Victoria Police' on the committee's Facebook page.

2pm

Release of Monash University's 'Keeping Perpetrators 'in view' during the COVID restrictions' webinar on the committee's Facebook page.

Thursday December 3

11am

Release of 'TASH' video on the committee's Facebook page.

2pm

Release of 'Hidden Victors' video on the committee's Facebook page.

Friday December 4

11am

Release of VicHealth's video titled 'Breaking free from gender stereotypes' on the committee's Facebook page.

Monday December 7

11am

Webinar 'Lessons in Disaster Training' with Jasepreet Krau from the Gender and Disaster Pod and Steve O'Malley from FRV. For registration details, visit the Eventbrite page.

2pm

Release of '5 minutes with Centre Against Sexual Assault' on the committee's Facebook page.

Tuesday December 8

11am

Release of the 'Community Connections Resource for the Afghan community' on the committee's Facebook page.

2pm

Release of '5 minutes with Loddon Mallee Women's Health' on the committee's Facebook page.

Wednesday December 9

11am

Release of 'Stand Up', a performance of a localised dance by young people demonstrating their commitment to end family violence on the committee's Facebook page.

Thursday December 10

11am

Release of '5 minutes with the Coalition for Gender Equity' on the committee's Facebook page.

2pm

Release of 'StoryPod', a video developed as part of the GBAFV Community Event in 2019. Watch it on the committee's Facebook page.

Events and activities could be subject to change as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.