What is it?

The United Nation’s international campaign aims to bring communities together to eliminate violence against women and girls.

When is it?

Takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

Why is it important?

Sources:

Healthy Attitudes to Gender: Children and Teenagers https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/development/toddlers-social-emotional-development/healthy-attitudes-to-gender-children-teens#family-life-ideas-for-developing-healthy-attitudes-to-gender-nav-title

How can I support?

As an individual

Share the message on social media @respectvictoria
Contact 1800 RESPECT if you or someone you know is experiencing violence

Ways to challenge gender norms in families

Ensuring that everyone in the family does a range of household chores
Noticing the way children and other people talk about girls and women. e.g., phrases like ‘She runs like a girl’ or ‘She’s strong for a girl’ suggest that girls aren’t physically strong or skilled. You could say, ‘Yes, she runs like a girl – try and keep up’ or ‘She’s not strong for a girl – she’s just strong’.
Noticing the way children and other people talk about boys and men. For example, sayings like ‘Boys don’t cry’ suggest that boys aren’t allowed to show their emotions. You could say, ‘Everyone can cry when they need to. It’s good to express your emotions in healthy ways’.
Providing a range of diverse activities or toys for children
Helping children work out who they are based on their values, strengths, interests & challenges. Avoid framing identity only in relation to gender.

A Violence Free Victoria: It All Starts With Respect

https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/campaigns/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence

Adult books and podcast episodes recommendations:

A bit about the book…

After tragedy, how do we find hope? A memoir about what it takes to get through the very worst of times from Rosie Batty - a woman who has experienced tragedy, who had lost all hope, yet now is intent on finding it again.

A bit about the book…

With humor, story-telling, compassion, and hard-hitting analysis, this is a compelling look at why men must take a stand for gender equality. For men, it’s a positive story not only of the benefits to women, but surprisingly, to men themselves.

A bit about the book..

A memoir about abuse, the search for justice and how we fail to keep our children safe.

Tarang Chawla - Men Talking About Men’s Violence

A bit about the podcast episode…

In this Academy of Imperfection, guest lecturer Tarang Chawla talks with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the many forms of abuse, violence, coercive control, gender inequality, and how we can all play a part in a safer future and why that’s so important for all of us.

An Imperfect Chat About Men

A bit about the podcast episode…

In this episode, Hugh, Ryan and Josh have an imperfect conversation about men’s violence against women.

To say it's a massive problem in Australia is an understatement. Violence and aggression can take many forms that span from small micro-aggressions all the way through to serious incidents. It effects ALL women, with the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community, at the greatest risk.

Hampton Primary School staff walking campaign

In Victoria, the Walk Against Family Violence is an important event during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – a global campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. By joining the Walk people can take action to prevent family violence and violence against women and stand in solidarity with people who've experienced violence.

Hampton Primary School staff will be walking in solidarity at various times across the 16 days. Each walk will be 30 minutes in duration around our local area. The aim is to help raise awareness and funds for The Orange Door - Bentleigh. Staff will be walking daily between November 25th - December 10th.

Staff will be raising gift vouchers for The Orange Door - Bentleigh so they can donate them to families whom they are connected with.

Who is the Orange Door?

The Orange Door is a free, no-referral Victorian government service that supports anyone who is experiencing family violence, feeling unsafe, or needing help with parenting or child wellbeing. They listen, identify what is needed, and connect families with safety planning, practical support, and specialist services to help keep everyone safe.

Their work is important because it gives people a safe, supportive place to turn to when home doesn’t feel safe or when families are struggling and don’t know where else to go. By listening without judgment and connecting people to the right help quickly, The Orange Door helps protect children, supports adults to feel safer and more stable, and strengthens families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

How can you donate?

Please support the Hampton Primary School staff as they undertake their walks over the next two weeks. As part of this we will be raising money to donate towards Orange Door Bentleigh. If you would like to support us by purchasing a gift card please ensure it meets the following criteria:

It is a physical gift card purchased in the store or partnered store e.g. Can purchase a voucher for Target inside any Coles supermarket.
It is a gift card from one of the following stores listed below.
Each gift card cannot exceed a purchase price of $50.00
It cannot be an ‘e-gift’ or online voucher.
It cannot be a ‘grouped’ voucher.

The gift cards will be accepted by either: classroom teachers or at the front office. We will be accepting gift cards up until Friday 12th of December

Did you know ...

We have a section in our school library titled ‘Wellbeing.’ The shelf is a designated space we provide for students to select books which link to key themes underneath the topic of ‘Wellbeing’. You might like to ask your child to explore this space during the next library visit. We categorise this section using a gold sticker, placed on the back of the book.

This important work has largely been coordinated by Maddy Paslis our Wellbeing Learning Specialist who coordinated our RRRR team to implement these wonderful initiatives.

Article provided by Maddy Paslis and Julia Kaminski

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