No excuse for online abuse

Each year, the United Nations global champion for gender-based equality, UN Women, lead a global campaign under the UNiTE to End Violence against Women initiative known as The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. 

Throughout this event, that runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), communities around the world join to prevent violence against women and girls.  

Technology-based abuse is growing, and this year’s theme is ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’.

Digital violence can include image-based abuse, cyberbullying and online harassment, and can often escalate into physical abuse in daily life. 

This year, the campaign is calling for action to increase accountability, support survivors and strengthen prevention strategies.

As part of this initiative, our eSafety Commissioner is offering a series of free online sessions to provide resources to help create safer digital environments. You can learn more by visiting Online safety | eSafety Commissioner to learn more. 

Locally, I commend the efforts of Central Coast Zonta members and volunteers who have knitted and crocheted brightly coloured panels and wrapped them around trees in Kibble Park Gosford and the Village Green Toukley. The panels have information attached about domestic and family abuse and are designed to start a conversation about gender-based violence.

I believe that safety and respect, both physically and digitally, is essential for the wellbeing of everyone in our community.  Council is supporting this important initiative by sharing information with our community and communicating with staff, promoting awareness of, and action against digital abuse. 

The campaign’s hashtag is ‘There’s No Excuse For Online Abuse’. Throughout The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, I encourage you to visit UN Women and learn more about what can be done to end digital violence at Welcome | UN Women – Headquarters.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna