Respect
On this page:
16 Days of Activism
Online Harassment
DPV Health Support Services
Get help and support
16 Days of Activism
Violence from a current or former partner is the leading cause of death, illness, and disability for Victorian women aged 15–44 years.
Campaigns like 16 Days of Activism give us the opportunity to work together to raise awareness, speak out, and prevent gender-based violence. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Our campaign in Broadmeadows
DPV Health is partnering with Hume City Council to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, by “orangeing” Broadmeadows. Orange is the theme colour of 16 Days, and celebrates a brighter future.
Keep an eye out for our orange banners, pathway stickers, and fence signs in central Broadmeadows. If you spot our orange campaign, take a picture and share your photo with us!
Tag us on Facebook (@DPVHealth) or Instagram (@dpvhealth_au) #DPVHealth #Respect #callitout #16dayscampaign
Ways to get involved
Everyone has the right to be respected and treated equally, regardless of who they are. If you are victim/ survivor of violence or abuse, know that you are not alone! Your friend, neighbour, or family member may have experienced something similar.
1. Wear orange and get your friends to wear orange too!
Orange symbolises a brighter future and a world free from violence against women and girls. Take a photo with your friends and family wearing orange and share it.
2. “Orange” your home
Place something orange on your house porch or window to show solidarity.
3. Read or share books that challenge traditional gender stereotypes
The local libraries will be sharing reading lists for 16 Days of Activism, or ask your librarian to help you. Many ebooks are available to rent on the library website.
4. Be an active bystander
When a third party steps in and becomes an active bystander, it helps to discourage the perpetrator and emotionally support the victim-survivor. It’s not always easy, but it can make a big difference. Learn more about being an active bystander.
5. Get active on social media
DPV Health will be sharing social media posts on the topic of online and image-based abuse, to raise awareness of how gender-based abuse can occur in online spaces. Share these posts to your own profiles to start the conversation in your networks.
6. Know the facts
Find out the facts about violence against women, so you can challenge common beliefs and attitudes.
7. Support victim-survivors
If someone you know has experienced family violence, see what you can do to help and support them.
Calendar of Events (Hume & Whittlesea)
Hume City Council and Whittlesea Council are offering a range of FREE activities that ignite conversation, encourage change, and work towards a future where everyone is safe, equal and respected. To download the calendar of events please click on below.
Online Harassment
Online abuse
This year for 16 Days of Activism, DPV Health is raising awareness of gender-based discrimination that can occur online.
Image-based abuse
Sharing someone’s intimate images or video without their consent is a violation of trust. It’s also illegal.
This is called image-based abuse. Women and girls are twice as likely to experience image -based abuse. This is a gendered issue.
Has someone shared your images without consent? Is someone threatening to do that? You have rights, and support is available. eSafety has information that explains how to report images or posts online. Or, you can speak to us at DPV Health, call 1300 234 263.
Compared to men, women are more likely to experience online harassment, abuse, threats, and stalking. This is not OK. Everyone should be able to live free from violence and intimidation – including in online spaces.
Threatening, harassing or stalking someone online can be illegal
Are you worried about your safety online? Have you seem something concerning? eSafety has an online guide that explains what to do about online abuse. Or, you can speak with us at DPV Health – call 1300 234 263
Enthusiastic consent
Whether you’re being intimate online or in person, enthusiastic consent is essential. It’s not OK to pressure, trick or force someone into an intimate act, or into taking or sharing intimate photos.
Consent must be freely given – an enthusiastic “yes” for every act, every time. It is everyone’s responsibility to check in and make sure their partner is feeling comfortable. If someone looks nervous or sounds uneasy, just stop.
DPV Health Support Services
At DPV Health, we offer support services.
Partnership with Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. DPV practitioners within the NEMA Orange Door work with men who use family violence, supporting them to take steps toward accountability, change and safety.
The service is an intake point for mens’ family violence services such as Men’s Behaviour Change Programs and Caring Dads.
Counselling and Psychology
Our team of social workers, psychologists, and mental health nurses offer a safe, respectful, and confidential service to suit your individual needs. You can talk to these professionals about many issues, including family violence.
We offer face-to-face counselling, casework and group work in a respectful, empathic, non-judgmental way.
Our services may help you to manage stress, find a way to cope, build on strengths, develop healthier lifestyles, and explore alternative solutions to the issues you are facing. We can also refer you to other services that are specialised in family violence.
To find out more information, click here.
Men’s Behaviour Change Program
To help address loneliness and feelings of isolation and to help understand family violence, DPV Health offers a 20-week intensive and supportive program that helps individuals understand coercive behaviours and the causes and impact of family violence. The program helps you to make changes to be a better partner/ex-partner or father, overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation, and support your community inclusion.
This program is suitable for men who want to identify, understand, and take responsibility for their abusive behaviours. It is an opportunity to learn new ways to deal with anger without violence, and enhance self-control, self-care, and the safety of your partner and children.
To find out more information, click here.
For more information or to book an appointment with our experienced team, call 1300 234 263 and select option 4.
Get help and support
If you or anyone you know is experiencing family violence or any other kind of abuse, reach out for help.
Is someone in danger now? Call 000 for emergency.
National Helplines
State Helplines
| Name | Number | Hours | Services offered |
| The Orange Door |
1800 319 355 |
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Free service for those experiencing family violence |
| Safe Steps | 1800 015 188 |
24 hours a day
7 days a week |
24/7 family violence response centre |
| Djirra | 1800 105 303 |
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Aboriginal women’s service |
| Switchboard Victoria | 1800 184 527 |
Every day
10am – 6pm |
Support for LGBTQI+ people |
| Women’s Legal Service Victoria | 03 8622 0600
|
Tues & Thurs
5:30pm – 7:30pm |
Free legal services for women |
| Women’s Information Referral Exchange | 1300 134 130
|
24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Information, support and referrals for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people |
| Women’s Housing Ltd | (03) 9412 6868 |
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Helps women at risk of homelessness |
| inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence | (03) 9413 6500 |
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Family violence service, specialised in people from multicultural communities |
| Dardi Munwurro | 1800 435 799
|
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Healing and behavioural change for Aboriginal men and youth |
| Centre Against Sexual Assault | 1800 806 292 | After hours
5pm – 9am |
Support and crisis line |
Local Helplines
| Name | Number | Hours | Services offered |
| Salvation Army Crossroads Family Violence Service | (03) 9353 1011 | Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Crisis intervention and family violence refuge |
| Merri Health Victims Assistance Program | 1300 362 739 | Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Helps people who have experienced violence |
| Women’s Information Support & Housing in the North | (03) 8692 2020 | Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Support for those experiencing family violence or homelessness, or at risk of homelessness |
| Latrobe Community Health Service | 1800 242 696 | Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm |
Provides a variety of services |
Language
