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4. We believe survivors

Sexual assault, family violence and rape are sadly common. Yet, many women withhold or withdraw allegations of sexual assault because they fear not being believed or having their allegations minimised.

An image of a poster: We believe survivors with space to add a contact name when issues are raised

We believe survivors

If you come forward with a complaint or disclosure, we will take you seriously. We will believe you and we will listen without judgment. We will also refer you to appropriate services if you wish to take further steps. We see you, we hear you, we support you.

Download the poster today

Barriers for sexual assault victim-survivors

Our broken legal system, victim-blaming culture and social stigma are also barriers for sexual assault victim-survivors.

In reality, studies show that the actual number of false complaints are between 1.2 per cent and 10 per cent but it’s largely accepted the actual rate is at the lower end of that range.

Perpetuating rape myths is incredibly damaging. As a society, it is essential that we believe women who make sexual assault or violence allegations.

We believe survivors

Our poster today declares that if you come forward with a complaint or disclosure, we will take you seriously. We will believe you and we will listen without judgment. We will also refer you to appropriate services if you wish to take further steps. We see you, we hear you, we support you. 

We ask you to identify a contact person in your workplace or community for people to come to, and add their name and contact details to the poster. 

Useful resources for survivors of sexual assault:

If there’s no one who can be that contact, here are some here are some resources for victim-survivors to call:  

  • Sexual Assault Services Victoria, please also have a look at SASV interactive service map
  • 24-hour national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information referral service: 1800-RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292
  • And during the week, between 9.30am and 4.30pm you can call WIRE on 1300 134 130.

Be sure to take care of yourself when supporting others — WIRE is here to listen to you as well.

About the 16 Days of Activism

Every year, between November 25 — the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — and December 10 — International Human Rights Day — there are 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

This year we’ve created a series of posters for you to print out at work, home or your local library, and to put up in your kitchen, community hall, meeting room at work — wherever you like. Help create a world where women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people are safe, respected, empowered and able to make genuine choices in their lives.

Violence towards women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people is a community problem. Everyone in the community, from schools to sporting clubs, can play a role in changing the structures, norms and practices that lead to gender-based violence.

Some of these actions will be individual and some will be collective: gender-based violence is a structural issue that we all need to work together to address.

View the rest of our posters for 2019 »

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