Council Acknowledgement of 16 Days of Activism
Published on 25 November 2025
Council's Acknowledgement To commence the 16 Days of Activism, re-elected Mayor Irene Grant opened the November Council meeting with a Council Acknowledgement held on 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
See full statement below:
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign aimed at preventing violence against women by changing the social conditions that enable it.
It begins on 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – and ends 10 December on International Human Rights Day, with International Day of People with Disabilities (3 December) also falling within this period.
Strategies to prevent violence must focus on the factors associated with people using violence: Who is perpetrating the violence? AND What are the structures, norms and practices that drive the use of violence?
There are distinct gendered dynamics to violence in Australia, and evidence indicates men are more likely to use extreme forms of violence that result in serious injury or death. Research indicates men commit homicides at 5 times the rate of women and that 95% of men and 94% of women who experienced violence did so at the hands of a man.
Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major national health and welfare issue, overwhelmingly impacting women and children.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by age 15:
- 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and sexual violence by a cohabiting partner; and
- 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence.
This year alone, 61 Australian women and 23 Australian children have tragically lost their lives to violence.
The Rural City of Wangaratta is facing escalating challenges with increasing family violence incidents. Our family violence rate has been consistently higher than both the Hume Region and State Average for the past 5 years. In 2024 there were 647 reported family violence incidents in the Rural City of Wangaratta, an increase of 2.5% from the previous year. Of utmost concern, during 2023 – 2024, children were present as victims or witnesses in almost half of all family violence incidents within our shire.
The presence of children in family violence incidents is deeply concerning as ongoing exposure to family violence known to negatively impact child development, with family violence also the leading cause of homelessness in Australian Children. Sadly, childhood exposure to violence also increases the risk of that child going on to become a person that uses violence, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
Our region is supported by dedicated specialist services including organisations such as The Orange Door, The Center Against Violence, VACCA, Upper Murray Family Care and Victoria Police – whose workers respond tirelessly to support those impacted by violence. Their work is harrowing and vital.
But responding to violence is not enough. Ending family violence takes a collective effort to address the underlying factors that give rise to gendered and family violence in our community.
One of the features of the 16 days of Activism Calendar in the RCOW will be held tomorrow November 26.
Former world no.4 tennis champion, bestselling author and activist Jelena Dokic will share her story of strength and resilience to a sold-out audience at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre.
From her astonishing rise in the world of tennis to the silent suffering she endured at home —Jelena's experience is a profound reminder of the consequences of bystanding.
Her story reminds us of the role we can play as bystanders in preventing violence and supporting those who are impacted.
On the 1st and 3rd of December, the Center Against Violence, supported by the Rural City of Wangaratta have also invited everyone to STAND together for a stronger, safer community by participating in free community events. These events aim to upskill our community to:
- understand why noticing and responding matters;
- recognise early signs of harm;
- practice safe and respectful ways to call out or call in behaviour; and
- to support others and strengthen community safety.
I encourage everyone here to attend, because violence against women and girls is preventable if we change the culture that allows it to happen. Together, we can create a culture where respect is the norm, equality is expected, and violence has no place. Let us stand united, not only for 16 days, but every day, until every woman and child is safe, and every community is free from fear.
See full program of events and activities happening in the North-East region and opportunities to get involved online at: 16 Days of Activism 2025 Program.