Media Release

Victoria Goes Orange For A Future Free Of Violence

The third annual Victoria Against Violence campaign begins today, challenging the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family violence and violence against women.

Acting Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Jill Hennessy will mark the start of the campaign by joining Rosie Batty and other community leaders for the 9thannual Walk Against Family Violence.

Following the Walk, the campaign will officially launch with an exhibition of artist Alisa Tanaka-King’s The Bird Girls project, dedicated to women whose lives were taken by family violence.

The Arts Centre will tonight light its spire up in the colour orange. A number of other landmarks will also go orange throughout the 16 days, including the Melbourne Star, Bolte Bridge, AAMI Park and Trades Hall.

The Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit and Bushrangers cricket teams are encouraging Victorians to go orange, while Metro Trains will show their support with their ’16 Stations for 16 Days’ initiative that will see 16 stations throughout Victoria go orange.

To be part of the Victoria Against Violence campaign at work, in the community or at home, the public can wear or display orange and use the #GoOrange and #PutYourHandUp hashtags on social media.

The Victoria Against Violence campaign is a key part of the UN’s orange themed UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign from today 25 November to 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

To find out more visit vic.gov.au/women/family-violence-prevention

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Jill Hennessy

“Preventing family violence is everybody’s business. I encourage all Victorians to join with their local community to put your hand up and go orange to support a Victoria free from violence.”

“Victoria Against Violence is an opportunity for all of us think about and challenge those attitudes and behaviours that drive violence.”

“We all have a role to play in this and that’s why I’m asking all Victorians to come together and say that violence against women won’t be tolerated.”