Victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence often face questions such as “Why did you let him buy you a drink?” or “Why did you stay with him?” or “Why didn’t you say no?” or “Why didn’t you fight him off?” or “What were you wearing?”
As Sarah Williams, spokesperson for (WWYW), said: “Rape is not just a crime of violence, it is a violation of a human’s dignity, autonomy and humanity. Despite the seriousness of these crimes, society often turns its back on victim-survivors, often blaming them for what happened.”
In 2024, . Of course, many more people are impacted. So far this year, that figure is 36.
WWYW began as an art exhibition, in 2021, after founder and CEO Williams brought the exhibition to Australia from the United States.
WWYW was set up to help victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence. It holds an annual “Move for them day” on November 15. But it helps victim-survivors every day, through education, advocacy and awareness.
A dedicated volunteer team has helped WWYW grow its influence Australia-wide. In 2023, it was able to get the Responsible Service of Alcohol laws amended to include mandatory drink spiking prevention training for bar and security staff across NSW.
In April 2024, it held nationwide rallies to fight against family, sexual, and domestic violence, with more than 40 volunteers and 100,000 attendees, across 17 locations. Participants walked, or ran, in locations across the country, with these events followed by speeches and trauma-informed movement sessions to raise awareness and funds.
This year’s event, on November 15, is being organised in .
Frances Cheffin, project manager for °³۰’s national Move For Them day told 91̳ the event as a “massive day of support and celebration, and collective strength”.
“We can fight back against domestic violence and call to action those that are responsible, while also finding a sense of recovery and healing with one another.”
Apart from the run/walk to start the day, community advocates, including authors, will speak and depending on the location there will be trauma-informed sessions, ranging from self-defence workshops, yoga, zumba, pilates and dance workshops will also be organised.