ECU Joondalup Campus lit up in orange in support of 16 Days in WA.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has continued it support of the 16 Days in WA campaign, which aims to raise awareness and advocate for action to end violence against women and children.
Led by the Department of Communities, the 16 Days in WA campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). The campaign calls on all Western Australians to help drive the social change needed to prevent violence against women and children. This year's theme, Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play Your Part, reinforces that everyone has a role to play in creating safer communities.
The Western Australian Government recently announced a $109.9 million package to address family and domestic violence across the state. The funding will be primarily focused on improving and strengthening the front-line teams that deal with early intervention and education.
ECU playing its part
ECU's Access and Equity team, led by Ms Hana Woolerson, supported the Joondalup March, an event dedicated to raising awareness of family and domestic violence and showing solidarity with survivors.
ECU hosted a staffed booth at the march, offering support and guidance to current and prospective students while strengthening our community outreach efforts.
The ECU stall at the Joondalup March for 16 Days in WA.
The Digital Services team led a powerful initiative to provide support to victims by creating a phone box drop at various locations across ECU campuses, where staff and students could donate old mobile phones that could be given to victims of domestic violence.
Mike Laytham, ECU Chief Information Officer, and Kylee Baker from Digital Services donating phones.
A mobile phone can be a vital safety lifeline for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence or coercive control. It offers a secure and private way to contact support services, seek emergency assistance, and stay connected with trusted family and friends.
The initiative aims to restore a sense of autonomy and safety by reducing the risk of surveillance—an issue that affects many people in these situations.
ECU leading with impactful research
Driving social change and empowering communities are essential to eliminating domestic violence — a goal that sits at the heart of ECU's research efforts. This includes the work of leading experts such as Professor Janine Joyce, Associate Dean Discipline (Social Work, Community and Human Services, Youth Work and Mental Health), and Associate Professor Natalie Gately.
Professor Joyce's research focuses on embedding a foundational framework on consent which aims to have the broader impact of reframing consent as a cultural and societal value, not just a personal one.
The overarching aim is to create better crisis response, stronger communities and improved social resilience.
"Ending violence against women in our country isn't just necessary—it's long overdue. Imagine communities where women, children, and men can genuinely thrive, supported by safety, respect, resources, and joy," Professor Joyce said.
"In reality, violence strips all of that away, leaving behind trauma, fear, silence, and serious mental health challenges. Its impact doesn't fade quickly—it echoes through families and communities for generations."
Associate Professor Gately's research focuses on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women in Australia who face unique and often severe barriers when seeking help for family and domestic violence.
The research found that cultural pressures to keep families together, while fear of stigma, language difficulties, and complex visa conditions often prevent women from accessing safety and support. Many also experience technology-facilitated abuse and struggle to navigate legal and service systems not designed with their needs in mind.
The findings highlight an urgent need for culturally informed, accessible, and trauma-aware services to improve safety and support for CALD women.
Support at ECU
ECU would like to take this opportunity to remind staff that Family and Domestic Violence Leave was introduced last year to support employees who need time away from work to address matters related to family and domestic violence. This paid leave can be used fora range of essential activities, including medical appointments, legal support, counselling or making arrangements to ensure personal safety.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make use of this leave, please reach out to your People and Culture Business Partner. They will guide you through the process and ensure that your request is handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.
