Day 6: The Shadow Pandemic

Posted on by Zonta Club of Perth Inc

UN Women advises that since the outbreak of COVID-19, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. This Shadow Pandemic is growing amidst the COVID-19 crisis and we need a global collective effort to stop it.

The social disruption caused by the pandemic has led to:

  • Security, health and money worries
  • Women living in isolation with abusers
  • Cramped living conditions
  • Movement restrictions

These can all be triggers for violence.

As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services, essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have reached capacity.

More needs to be done to prioritize addressing violence against women in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Everyone has a role to play.

UN Women is providing up-to-date information and supporting vital programmes to fight the Shadow Pandemic of violence against women during COVID-19.

Day 4: Support the Zonta House Refuge

Posted on by Zonta Club of Perth Inc

Zonta House Refuge Association supports women at risk of or experiencing violence.

You can help the Refuge continue its essential work by donating:

The Refuge works closely with other service agencies, volunteers and partners to provide crisis accommodation and outreach education through its Positive Pathway program.

In the last year, the Refuge has provided:

  • 252 women and 2 children with accommodation
  • 57 women with specialist study and employment case management
  • 44 community awareness sessions facilitated to 4,509 people
  • 101 education programs to 144 women over 420 attendances
  • 204 women with specialist recovery support over 640 sessions
  • 135 coaching sessions
  • 177 women with comprehensive case management in the community
  • 40 women with parenting support in prison
  • 56 women with support to reintegrate into the community from the adult justice system.

Please support the Zonta House Refuge!

Day 3: Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March

Posted on by Zonta Club of Perth Inc

Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March on Tuesday 7 December at 12pm

Organised by the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, the 31st Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March will take place:

On: Tuesday 7 December 2021

At:  Forrest Place, Perth

10am – 11am Stalls

11am – 12pm Rally

12pm – 1pm March

Attendees are encouraged to march with a sign – but no metal signs are permitted.

The event is sponsored by Lotterywest.

Day 2: Don’t be silent when you see violence

Posted on by Zonta Club of Perth Inc

The WA State Government’s campaign for 2021 is themed around the tagline ‘Don’t be silent when you see violence’. 

The campaign encourages bystanders to speak up and contribute to positive change towards the safety and respect of women in our community.

The key messages are:

  • Violence against anyone is unacceptable.
  • We all have a responsibility to help stop the violence.
  • Stopping violence against women means promoting equality and respectful relationships, violence-free spaces and safer communities.
  • Breaking the cycle of family and domestic violence starts with respect for women.
  • Everyone has a part to play by calling out disrespectful behaviour in all areas of life.

The statistics reflect the size of the problem:

  • 65 per cent of assaults recorded in Western Australia last year were related to family and domestic violence (up 15 per cent on 2019).
  • Of the 22,257 victims, 73 per cent – or 16,262 victims – were female.
  • 48 per cent (28 victims) of homicide and related offences (including murder, attempted murder and manslaughter) in Western Australia were related to family and domestic violence last year.  Of this, 19 victims were female.
  • 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual harassment since the age of 15.
  • There were 3,048 victims of sexual assault in Western Australia last year – a 10 per cent increase on 2019.
  • Of these, 86 per cent (or 2,615 victims) were female.

Check out the Don’t be Silent toolkit