The Ballarat community will come together over the next 16 days to take a stand against gender-based violence.
The City of Ballarat is joining with member organisations of the Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance (CoRE) and the Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee (CHIFVC) to host several events throughout the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign.
CoRE is a partnership of organisations, businesses, clubs and groups who share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities in the Grampians region.
CHIFVC includes specialist family violence services as well as organisations and alliances whose work intersects with family violence response, early intervention and prevention.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
This year's campaign encourages all Victorians to work together to prevent violence against women.
Ballarat events over the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
Ballarat Walk Against Gender-based Violence
- When: Friday 29 November, from 5.30-7.30pm.
- What: The walk will be hosted by the City of Ballarat in partnership with Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance (CoRE) and the Central Highlands Integrated Family Violence Committee (CHIFVC) and will be led by prominent First Nations community members, and local men in support of ending gendered violence. Participants are encouraged to wear orange, carry a water bottle, and to bring colorful signs and banners. Participants are welcome to bring their dogs if they are on a leash. The walking track is wheelchair accessible. Two wheelchairs will be available for participants to utilise on request from the Town Hall. Speakers and musical performances will follow the walk at Alfred Deakin Place.
- Where: The 500-metre walk will commence on Lydiard Street North near the Mair Street intersection and walk to Sturt Street, turning left and entering Camp Street with speakers to follow at Alfred Deakin Place.
Leadership Forum: Men leading change to prevent violence
- When: Tuesday 3 December, 9am-3pm.
- What: More than 150 CoRE members from the region will come together to hear from experts and learn how businesses, workplaces and community organisations can play a role in ending gender-based violence by promoting respect and equality. The forum will have a focus on men leading the change to prevent gender-based violence. This event is for CoRE members only.
- Where: Mercure Ballarat.
Art exhibition at Ballarat and Sebastopol Libraries
- When: Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December.
- What: An art exhibition titled 16 days Hope of Tomorrow - Stories of Resilience will show at the Ballarat and Sebastopol Libraries throughout the 16 days. The exhibition comprises works from local artists and is being jointly hosted by the City of Ballarat, Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Family Violence Support Ballarat (WRISC) and TBH Studio and supported by funding from Safe & Equal and Respect Victoria.
- Where: Ballarat Library, Doveton Street North, and Sebastopol Library, 181 Albert Street, Sebastopol.
Library and Parent Place story times
- When: 16 Days-themed story times will take place at the Library and Parent Place at the usual story time timeslots.
- What: Ballarat Libraries and Parent Place will feature 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence displays and will include child-friendly messaging about gender equality.
- Where: Ballarat Libraries (all libraries) and Parent Place, 39 Sturt St, Ballarat Central.
Launch of Change our Game video series
- When: Tuesday 10 December, 6-7pm.
- What: A new video series, Change our Game, showcasing Ballarat's gender inclusive sports and recreation clubs will be launched. The videos were funded by the Victorian Government's Empowering Communities initiative as part of the Building Safer Communities Program.
- Where: Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, 917 Pleasant Street South, Ballarat.
The City of Ballarat has produced a calendar of events and activities for the community to get involved in during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
All events are free of charge, so there is no barrier for community members to participate.
While all victim-survivors of gender-based violence should be recognised and supported, about 80 per cent of victim-survivors are women. More than one in three women have experienced men's violence in Australia. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every 10 days, and in 2024 that number is much higher.
The family violence incident rate in Ballarat is higher than the Victorian rate. In Ballarat, police attend approximately six incidents of gender-based violence a day. Tragically, children were present at 45 per cent of incidents.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said that while gender-based violence is prevalent in Ballarat, it is preventable.
"Ballarat has felt the pain that gender-based violence inflicts upon communities, which is why we must all play our part to challenge the harmful attitudes and behaviors that drive violence against women and children," she said.
"This 16 Days of Activism and beyond, we have an opportunity to come together to forge a future where all Ballarat residents are safe, equal and respected."
Respect Victoria CEO Helen Bolton said that the 16 Days of Activism is an opportunity to take action and stand in solidarity as a community.
"Not all disrespect leads to violence against women, but all violence against women starts with disrespect. Safety for women in any community isn't a given, but it doesn't have to be this way and we all have the power to change it," she said.
"From attending a local event during the 16 Days of Activism, to pulling aside a mate if they say something harmful, to challenging stereotypes that hold us all back - every small step you take matters."
Women's Health Grampians CEO Marianne Hendron said there was real momentum in the community after a challenging year of gender-based violence, especially given the current focus on Ballarat with Respect Victoria's Saturation model project.
"Partnerships and collaboration are a vital part of the puzzle and key to the 16 Days events taking place across the city," she said.
"We're particularly looking forward to the Ballarat Leadership Forum on 3 December, co-sponsored by the City of Ballarat, a significant violence prevention event that aims to engage men in this important work."
The Ballarat Walk Against Gender-based Violence has received funding from Respect Victoria. In 2024, Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal are working together to support local community engagement with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The City of Ballarat has been funded under Respect Victoria's 16 Days of Activism grassroots initiative.
