A range of events has been organised across south-east NSW for the upcoming 16 Days of Activism, a campaign aimed at ending gender-based violence. Photo: Vladdeep Photography.
CONTENT WARNING: This story refers to sexual and family violence.
Regional communities along a stretch of NSW coastline are coming together to show abuse isn’t tolerated.
Domestic violence is a complicated issue that affects many in the Bega Valley, where Women’s Resource Centre manager Karen Wright is based.
The centre was established by Southern Women’s Group in 1985 and organises workshops, provides food and other items for families in need and offers practical assistance to victims of family violence.
“I have at least one person a week who walks in that door who has been touched by DV [domestic violence] in some way — whether that’s physical harm or coercive control,” Ms Wright said.
“We, as an organisation, see the impact of domestic violence that is occurring in our community all the time. At the moment, the statistics on domestic violence cases in the local courts are about 80 per cent of the cases in the Bega Valley, which is quite frightening.”
In the Southern Women’s Group 2024/25 service report, the organisation reported a 17 per cent rise in the number of police referrals in 2023/24.
That was made up of 1437 referrals from Eurobodalla and Bega Valley, and 2280 from the Shoalhaven.
Earlier this year, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures revealed there had been a 7 per cent increase in reported cases of sexual assault over the past decade in the Capital Region, which includes Bega Valley.
The organisation has again partnered with NSW Police, local Rotary clubs and other support services to run a series of events for the 16 Days of Activism campaign in coastal communities.
The international campaign pushing to end gender-based violence runs from 25 November to 10 December.
Ms Wright said the region’s activities would be launched with a free event on 21 November, which she described as “a chill evening” and a range of family-friendly activities and performances.
“It’s going to be about taking up space, being left alone, [and] feeling safe to be out in the evening in a public space.”
Within the Bega Valley, campaign events include sessions with an art therapist across three days at the Bega CWA Hall, a march in Merimbula and a trivia fundraiser at Longstocking Brewery.
The Women’s Resource Centre also plans to place out purple shoes at visible locations in the region to represent women who have been murdered by a current or former partner this year.
“That can be quite confronting, but also it’s quite educational … There’s lots of people that don’t actually see the impacts of domestic violence in their day-to-day lives, because, luckily, they haven’t had to experience it,” Ms Wright said.
Communities are also asked to wear purple throughout the 16 Days campaign.
Ms Wright said the activities also represented a chance for discussions around family violence.
“They’re open to everyone,” she said. ”That’s why I’ve tried to have events in the evening, some in the day … We want to engage as many people as we can without any pressure [on people].
“I think they create awareness in the community.”
Ms Wright said regional areas placed added pressures on victims, who often relied on fewer resources than their metropolitan counterparts.
She pointed to people being sent to Sydney refuges because of a lack of room locally and a high concentration of Airbnb and holiday properties in an already tight housing market.
“Women leaving domestic violence are at a huge risk of homelessness,” she said. ”We obviously have a housing crisis and a really small pool of resources to help people with housing.
“That’s putting pressure on all the services that are working in this space.”
Ms Wright stressed that a range of support services was available.
“The support is there. We’re here and we’re funded to do this work.”
Further information on the campaign activities can be found by visiting the Southern Women’s Group website or the Women’s Resource Centre’s Facebook page.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, contact 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, on 1800 737 732, or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491. Lifeline can also be reached on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
