When it comes to taking a stand on violence against women, there's no room for bystanders who won't, or don't, take action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Big or small, public or private, any and all action against gender-based violence matters.
Because, after 30 years of campaigns to end the violence - the latest has just kicked off 16 days of events in Bendigo - Australians still seem to cope with at least one woman a week being murdered by a partner or ex-partner.
Thirty years of dedicated campaigning to end gender-based violence. Seems a pretty simple goal in a civilised country.
The solution, however, is anything but.
It takes a village after all.
And that starts with a bystander.
On Thursday, Women's Health Loddon Mallee hosted an online event about bystander action - the first of many events - in a bid to get more people involved at the grassroots level.
Centre for Non-Violence head of media and communications Nicole Ferrie, Mildura councillor Helen Healy and Campaspe Primary Care Partnership executive officer Emma Brentnall - analysed bystander action in media, politics and digital storytelling.
The key message was everyone has a stake in this sadly one-sided fight to let many, too many, women just get through a single day without falling victim to some kind of abuse.
To respect women, to call it out - absolutely everyone can take action - everyone can help create a conversation that will be a call to action.
- Tricia Currie
Women's Health Loddon Mallee communications lead Tina Helm said there are a lot of ways someone can take action against harassment or violence against women.
It doesn't always mean you have to speak up in the moment.
"Taking effective bystander action starts with understanding what respect means, what it looks like, and how we can put it into practice in our everyday lives," she said.
It might mean not laughing at a sexist joke.
It might mean pulling a victim of abuse aside and asking them if they were alright.
It might mean supporting someone who does call it out.
There are numerous actions individuals and communities can take to implement positive action.
"We can then take action to challenge the status quo and call out harmful attitudes, comments or behaviours that can reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and contribute to violence against women," Tina said.
Harmful attitudes, comments and behaviours that can normalise thinking it's okay to threaten and harass a woman because they disagree with her opinions.
Harmful attitudes, comments and behaviours that can make women feel unsafe - whether it is walking home at night or pursuing a career in politics.
Other news:
"It can't be one single action, it takes all of us," Women's Health Loddon Mallee chief executive Tricia Currie said.
Bystander action will be a significant theme in this year's 16 Days of Activism campaign's 'Respect women: call it out', because as Ms Currie said it takes all of us.
"We have to peel back the unconscious bias; gender equality is based on understanding," she said.
"Violence exists right across our society - there are high levels of acceptance; just as we have accepted, as a society, one woman will die, on average, every week in Australia."
Even worse, an acceptance of that figure is by default an endorsement of the violence haunting the lives of Australian women.
Yet, Ms Currie said it is also an opportunity for the whole community to take a stand.
"To respect women, to call it out - absolutely everyone can take action - everyone can help create a conversation that will be a call to action," she said.
"And that's what this year's 16 days will be; a call to action."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Download our app on iOS and Android
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News