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Gender is a social construct. It shapes how we understand sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the expectations, roles, and power linked to them.
Gender-based violence is any form of harm that happens because of these expectations and inequalities. It is linked to harmful attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes about gender.
Although anyone can experience violence, gender-based violence disproportionately affects women and girls, especially:
- First Nations women
- Women from refugee and migrant backgrounds
- The LGBTQIA+ community
- Women with disabilities
Clearing up common myths about gender-based violence
Gender-based violence often goes unrecognised. This is because there is a traditional idea of what violence should look like. But in reality:
- It is not always physical
- It can happen online
- It does not only occur between romantic or sexual partners. It can occur between friends, classmates, colleagues, family, or strangers.
Common types of gender-based violence
Gender-based violence can take many forms. Some are more obvious, while others are more subtle and often normalised.
- Emotional and psychological harm: For example, someone putting you down, mocking you, or humiliating you a lot.
- Social abuse: Isolating you from your support networks, controlling your relationships and preventing you from seeing friends.
- Sexual violence and coercion: Any sexual act that you have not given consent to, including being pressured to say “yes”, especially after saying “no”.
- Physical violence: Harm to the body (or the threat of harm).
- Technology-based violence: Sending you unwanted explicit content without your permission.
- Financial/economic abuse: Using money to control, intimidate, or manipulate you.
- Stalking: Unwanted watching/monitoring of your movements with surveillance devices.
- Cultural/Spiritual Violence: Preventing someone from practising their culture, beliefs, or traditions.
Reporting gender-based violence
If you’re unsure whether something counts as gender-based violence, that’s enough reason to reach out and seek support.
You don’t have to label your experience, or have physical proof, or know what to do next. Support services exist to help you understand your options and feel safe.
You can report an incident or concern to the Safer Community Team:
- Report it online
- Report the incident via the SafeZone app
- Call the Safer Community Team on (08) 9266 4444.
- Dial 000 in an emergency
