16 Days, 16 Stories
November 25, 2019
We’re proud and deeply humbled to announce a new collection of stories, standing in solidarity with the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign: 16 Days – 16 Stories.
On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
One in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of 15.
One in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
Domestic violence is a scourge which affects every facet of our society and which doesn’t discriminate. But fear and discomfort mean we tell ourselves it’s happening elsewhere; it’s a private problem; it’s something that happens to someone else. Through courageous and compelling stories, 16 Days – 16 Stories hopes to inform and challenge views on what violence looks like and who it might affect.
The Stories
Across 16 powerful personal stories from survivors of violence, perpetrators of violence and frontline workers, we consider a stark tapestry of violence—from the intergenerational family violence that so often breeds new offenders, to the husbands spewing vitriol at cowering wives, to the terrified children hiding in bedrooms, to the under-funded refuges who meet women at their breaking points.
These new stories inform and challenge our ideas of violence, power and domesticity, and galvanise action for a new, collective response. Domestic violence is everyone’s responsibility. Action starts with understanding.
The Storytellers
Our deepest gratitude to the people who shared their stories. Thank you to Alphonse and Katrina, Amber, Carrie, Catherine, Dawson, Dorinda, Esther, Mari, Mary, Noelle, Rehab, Roia, Sarah, Sheree, Tameka and Tinashe.
These stories were collected with the intention to best represent the complexities of diverse experiences of violence. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share new stories from migrant and First Nations women who have suffered from violence.
Support for These Stories
This project was funded by the State Library of Western Australia, where a new story for every day of the campaign will be available to hear. Stories will be also be broadcast on RTRFM and shared here, on the Centre for Stories’ website.
Help us do more
We’re on a mission to create a diverse, inclusive, and cohesive society through the art of storytelling. Join us in supporting emerging artists and sharing powerful stories from across our community.
