Family Violence - 16 Days of Activism

Family violence is a problem that affects all of us: women, children and men. As a union with many male members, we want to raise awareness and be part of eliminating family violence for our benefit and for the benefit of the community at large.

As a union we strive to improve quality of life for working people. We know that we can drive change that benefits us all. We all need to learn, understand and make a difference individually. It is up to all of us to oppose violence against women and promote a culture of non-violence and respect in our community.

Between Sunday November 25 and Monday December 10, the union will be supporting 16 days of activism against gendered violence.

This campaign is about awareness, education and encouraging all of us to speak about the scourge of domestic and family violence. Domestic and family violence spans all sections of our community and it is up to all of us to speak about the issue and take action if we think that something isn’t right.

CFMEU Delegates are encouraged to use the resources below to start conversations on their jobs and toolbox on this issue to raise awareness and help end gendered violence at home and at work.

RESOURCES

Family Violence Fact Sheet: 16 Days of Activism

Toolbox Notes: 16 Days of Activism

MAKE THE PLEDGE, TAKE A PHOTO OF YOUR SITE MEETING

Take a photo of your site meeting, with this sign or NO written on everyone's hands, just like the photo above. Send it in to the CFMEU office by email: viccomms@cfmeu.org and post to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using hashtags #endvaw #cfmeusaysno

GENDERED VIOLENCE AT WORK

Almost two thirds of women who experience violence at home have paid jobs, that’s 800,000 women in Australia.

At work, a recent survey in Victoria found that 64% of working women have experienced bullying, harassment, sexism and violence in their workplace. It is a serious OHS issue for working people, and as a union we cannot accept it.

What can men do?

1. We can declare that violence against women is never acceptable.
2. Men need to work alongside women in ending violence against women.
3. We need to be having the private conversations, with our mates, our sons, our families. Women and girls need respect and need to be treated as equals. We also need to be having the public conversations, using our influence where we can.
4. Men need to help other men understand that violence against women is fuelled by attitudes and beliefs that women are worth less than men, or are the property of men.