Every Space Safe: the 16 Days of Activism Begins Now
Published on 19th of November 2025
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year, the UN is calling for a united global effort to end digital violence against women and girls.
Technology has become one of the fastest-growing channels of coercive control, and this year’s theme recognises that reality.
With that focus, DV-alert’s campaign centres on one clear message: let’s make Every Space Safe.
Violence doesn’t just occur behind closed doors anymore. It spreads through messages, shared accounts, location trackers, cloud storage and social platforms. The reach of abuse has expanded - and so must our understanding, our prevention efforts, and our response.
Why “Every Space Safe” Matters - Right Now
Digital violence isn’t hypothetical. It looks like:
- A partner tracking movements through apps
- Accessing someone’s accounts or devices without consent
- Threats sent through messages or social media
- Sharing intimate images without permission
- Using technology to isolate, intimidate, or monitor
- Active involvement in digital ‘manosphere’ spaces and forums
These behaviours extend far beyond the online world. They increase fear, escalate risk, and restrict autonomy - especially during and after separation.
The evidence is clear:
ANROWS reports more than 50% of Australian adults have experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated abuse (2022). For young women aged 18–24, it climbs to 74%.
Digital harm is now a widespread form of coercive control.
Who Is Most Impacted
Technology-facilitated abuse affects some communities more than others. Young women, First Nations women, women with disability, and LGBTQIA+ communities face heightened risk.
AIHW data shows that women continue to face disproportionate risk of intimate partner violence. When digital abuse is layered on top, the risk multiplies - and the pathways to safety become more complex (AIHW, 2024).
Effective prevention must be inclusive, evidence-based and culturally responsive.
What We’re Covering This 16 Days
Across our DV-alert social channels, we will unpack digital violence clearly and practically. Our campaign will explore:
- What digital violence looks like in day-to-day life
- Warning signs and patterns frontline workers should look for
- The myths that minimise or obscure digital harm
- How risk escalates during and after separation
- Real-world examples, lived experience insights and red flags
- How to respond safely and refer effectively
Each post strengthens awareness and builds confidence for frontline workers and community members.
Frontline Workers: A Critical Line of Safety
Frontline workers - teachers, nurses, social workers, youth workers, community volunteers, health staff, and many more - often see the signs first. Their ability to recognise and respond can be life-changing.
DV-alert training equips frontline workers to recognise both digital and non-digital forms of domestic and family violence, respond safely, and refer confidently to support services.
Every safe conversation, every early intervention, every moment of recognition matters.
How You Can Be Involved
Everyone has a role in making digital spaces safer. Over the next 16 days, you can:
- Follow our daily campaign content
- Learn the signs of digital violence
- Challenge myths and minimise harmful narratives
- Share our posts to broaden awareness
- Initiate conversations in your workplace, school or community
- Explore tools from the eSafety Commissioner to improve online safety
If you’d like to know more about the 16 Days campaign, access resources, or download a social media tile to share within your network, visit our 16 Days of Activism page.
Collective action creates safer environments - both online and offline.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to deepen your knowledge and support people experiencing digital, domestic and family violence, attend a DV-alert workshop.
Explore upcoming workshops:
http://www.dvalert.org.au/enrolmentlistings
As we begin the 16 Days of Activism, let’s commit to learning, listening, and taking meaningful action together. Every space - physical, social, digital - must be safe.
Together, we can work to make that a reality.
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