Albany to mark 16 Days in WA calling for an end to family and domestic violence

For 16 days, Albany will be painted orange, the colour used to campaign for an end to gender-based violence, as the City joins a Statewide stand against family and domestic violence. The 16 days will run from November 25 — the International day for Elimination of Violence Against Women — to Human Rights Day on December 10. The campaign is part of a global movement driving change in the culture, behaviour and attitudes that lead to violence against women and children. The sixth annual event will be marked in Albany by organisations including Anglicare, Albany Family and Domestic Violence Action Group and Southern Aboriginal Corporation. Anglicare WA Albany Women’s Centre team leader Es-Mare van Wyk said this year’s theme “Ending violence against women — it’s everybody’s business” highlighted the need for community action to end family and domestic violence. “The encouragement is it is not just a ‘me’ issue,” Ms van Wyk said. “It’s not an Anglicare issue, it’s not a family and domestic violence service issue, it’s a community issue. “We want the community to play a part, and we want the community to be a part of it and be active bystanders — reach out, support someone.” The 16 days will begin with the Town Hall and Town Square lighting up in orange on November 25, followed by a quiz night at Railways Football Club on November 26 and a fundraising screening of She Said at Orana Cinemas on December 1. Op shops across the city will also participate by creating orange displays in their windows, and some cafes will take part by serving orange foods. The 16 days will culminate in a community dog walk on December 10 at Middleton Beach.