Stories - 16 Days, 16 Stories

A survivor of violence and a lifelong advocate for women, Amber paints a stark picture of a system for survivors of violence lacking resources, nuance and education. Tackling domestic violence is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with believing survivors.

The tall, funny, muscular man Catherine met at a party would months later try to drown her in the Swan River. Here, she talks frankly about surviving violence, living for herself, and rewiring a childhood lacking love and respect. "This isn't my shame," she decides.

Dawson speaks to the insidious societal problems of patriarchy, power imbalance and men’s entitlement, and reflects on how he learned as a therapist to ask the right questions and seek social change. Eradicating gender-based violence must be a collective decision made by us all.

Dorinda says a new narrative about the potential of contemporary Aboriginal women and a sophisticated interplay of western and traditional justice systems are what’s needed to tackle systemic violence. Colonisation destroyed gender equality and its repair is our shared responsibility.

According to Esther, we’re still not prepared to hear disclosures of violence. Hearing stories is a first step and we must not whisper about this issue. To tackle violence, let’s destroy the power of silence and shout about it from the top of the roof.

Married at 17, Mari never knew anything but violence and disrespect in family relationships. Here, she shares a harrowing personal story of abuse, mental illness, losing her children, and learning how to live life on her own terms.