Start a conversation with a fellow student, friend or loved one – Are you Safe at Home?
What is Are You Safe at Home? Day
Are You Safe at Home Day is an Australian awareness day created by Safe and Equal that takes place annually on 10 May. In its second year, the day is dedicated to raising awareness about family violence.
Why do we need Are You Safe at Home? Day
Are You Safe at Home? Day was created in response to the increased risk of family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides an opportunity for the La Trobe community to increase their understanding of family violence and raise awareness of supports available.
Lockdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic have increased rates of family violence in Australia. New research from the Australian Personal Safety Survey found violence in Australia is gendered, with 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men having experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15, (ABS, 2023). Social inequality and discrimination also produce different forms and patterns of violence for people depending on their personal attributes or circumstances. For example, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience sexual violence and family violence, (ANROWS, 2023).
Are You Safe at Home? Day is a reminder that family violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. We encourage everyone to act against family violence and support those who might be experiencing it. By increasing your understanding of the signs of family violence and asking, “Are you Safe at Home?” you could make a difference in someone’s life.
In addition to supporting those affected by domestic violence, it is also important that as a society, community, and as individuals, we work to address the evidence-based drivers of family violence. The ‘Change the Story’ framework outlines eight essential violence prevention actions including challenging gender stereotypes and fostering positive, equal, and respectful relationships.
How can I get involved?
Learn how to ask, “Are You Safe at Home?”
We know that many people experiencing family violence will reach out to family and friends first. How you respond can make a real difference on someone’s journey to safety. Watch this video and learn how to ask, ‘Are you Safe at Home?’. If you want to have a discussion about how to ask someone, please contact our Wellbeing Mentors in our Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion team.
Attend the “Are You Safe at Home?” Day webinar
Join us on 10 May for Are You Safe at Home? Day, for a conversation exploring the crucial role colleagues and workplaces play in recognising and responding to family violence. It’s open to anyone who wants to know more about having safe and respectful conversations about family violence at work.
Wednesday 10 May, 12 pm – 12.55 pm (AEST)
Support the La Trobe Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Action Plan
Many people don’t realise that sexual harm can occur within relationships or that the same social drivers that drive family violence, also drive sexual harm. La Trobe has recently launched the Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Action Plan. The plan takes forward La Trobe’s commitment to the prevention of sexual harm and ensures appropriate responses to disclosures and reports.
Attend training at La Trobe
Respectful Communities run the following training throughout the year:
- Flip the Script – EAAA Training
- Respectful Relationships & Bystander Intervention Workshops
- LGBTIQ+ SB Ally Workshops
Where to get support
- Safer Community at La Trobe – a free, confidential support service if you experience or witness concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour.
- Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion at La Trobe – free support services for your health and wellbeing if you’re a current La Trobe student.
- Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) is available at different locations across Victoria and provides crisis support, as well as information, referral and counselling.
- Orange Door is a ‘one-stop shop’ service for family violence information, referral and short-term support. Please refer to their website to check if an Orange Door centre is in your area. The closest Orange Door to La Trobe’s Bundoora campus is located in Heidelberg (Phone 1800 319 355).
- 1800RESPECT is the national family violence/sexual assault counselling service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free confidential advice and referrals, as well as online support. Interpreters are also available if needed.
- Djirra is a specialist family violence organisation that delivers culturally informed family violence legal and support services, predominantly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
- Rainbow Door support is available to LGBTIQA+ people of all ages and identities with issues that may include family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, suicidal thoughts, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Mens Line provides support for men who are experiencing violent or abusive relationships.
- Men’s Referral Service provides family violence telephone counselling, information and referral for men wanting to take responsibility for their violent behaviour. The service also provides support and referrals for male victims of family violence, women and men seeking information on behalf of their male partners, and friends or family members.
References
ABS, 2023, Personal Safety Australia
ANROWS, 2023, Attitudes Matter: Summary NCAS Report