Join the North Shore community in taking a stand against gender- based violence
It’s time for us all to unite and yell a big resounding ‘no’ to violence against women and girls during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender- Based Violence campaign.
The United Nations campaign was started by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. This year the campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December.
The 2025 theme focusses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence.
Digital abuse can include image- based abuse, catfishing, cyberbullying, online sexual harassment, online stalking, surveillance or tracking to monitor someone’s activities.
Mary’s House Services is a not-for- profit organisation in North Sydney that provides refuge, case management and community programs for women and children escaping domestic violence. Yvette Vignando, chief executive officer of Mary’s House, says that over 90% of its clients present with some form of abuse connected to the use of technology.
“We have a very thorough assessment of all of our clients when it comes to e-safety, which is tech safety, because we find it’s present in almost every client’s situation,” Yvette says.
“Domestic family violence is, at its heart, about power and control and perpetrators are increasingly using a range of technology to monitor and control victim-survivors.”
Yvette says there are many ways that technology is used to surveil and control victim-survivors, whether it be using surveillance in the home, placing tracking devices on cars, or having access to mobile phone data.
“Some clients are monitored through tolls because the toll account might be in their ex-partner’s name,” Yvette explains. “The partner knows where they are and tracks their movements.” Sometimes a car’s GPS system can be used for tracking.
“It’s common in a family to have had electronic devices such as phones and laptops set up by partners who still have access to call logs or access to an Apple account where they can see pictures, emails and calendars.”
Yvette says some perpetrators leave tracking devices inside toys, cars and even umbrellas. Others change device passwords or use access to the devices to control their partners.
150 people united for the Walk for Women in 2024
To support women experiencing abuse, there are a number of events happening on the North Shore. Mosman Council is holding its fourth annual Walk for Women on 28 November. Mayor Ann Marie Kimber will spearhead a short walk from Rawson Oval to the Headland Park Artist Precinct in Georges Heights. Walkers are encouraged to wear purple!
Willoughby City Council is supporting the 16 Days campaign by hosting an anti-violence afternoon tea and community walk through Chatswood on 16 November.
There will be afternoon tea at the Dougherty Community Centre, where Mayor Tanya Taylor and special guests will share messages of support, before walking to Chatswood Mall.
More information will be available on council’s website closer to the campaign launch.
Yvette Vignando of Mary’s House speaking at the 2024 event
North Sydney Council is partnering with The Fathering Project on a webinar with the working title ‘Respectful Relationships, New Masculinities’ during the 16 Days campaign. The webinar will feature speakers from various community organisations presenting on respectful relationships and healthy masculinity. Keep an eye on council’s website for more details. Mary’s House also welcomes donations for its Christmas appeal. To donate, visit maryshouse.org.au
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For help 24/7, call the NSW Domestic Violence line on 1800 656 463.
Walk for Women
28 November at 10am
Rawson Oval, Mosman
Short walk followed by refreshments
events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
The Fathering Project
Webinar
‘Respectful Relationships, New Masculinities’
Details to be confirmed
northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Anti-Violence Afternoon Tea and Walk
Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood
16 November
See council’s website for details
willoughby.nsw.gov.au