BIG RESPECT
The BigRespect Portrait Project
Part of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
25 November – 10 December
Since 2022, PollyannaR has been travelling across Australia setting up her BigRespect portrait pop-ups a simple white backdrop that invites deep reflection and public participation.
In partnership with local councils, Respect Victoria, DVC Connect, and 54 Reasons, these street art portraits create a safe, creative space where people can express what respect means to them.
Each portrait captures a personal commitment, a moment of courage, care, and connection, forming part of a growing national conversation about gender equality and respect. Along with access to resource and support from the community and government partners working to prevent family violence.
This year, the white backdrop goes up again in Leongatha.
Everyone is invited to take part. All you need to do is bring yourself and share your message of respect. You’ll receive a print to take home, and a digital portrait will be shared online to spread the message further.
At the end of the campaign, all the portraits will come together in a large Big Picture artwork, to be displayed as mural in chosen location
The philosophy is simple:
When we stand side by side — each with our own story, our own face, our own message — we create a powerful picture of what a respectful community looks like.
1 in 4 women have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15
Nearly 2 in 5 women with disabilities have experienced violence from a partner, ex-partner or family member
1 in 3 LGBTIQ+ people have experienced violence from a partner, ex-partner or family member
1 in 3 migrant and refugee women living in Australia have experienced family violence
95% of all victims of violence, regardless of gender, experience violence from a male perpetrator
The 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence Against Women Survey (NCAS) found that 40% of people believe that women exaggerate when they talk about inequality.
22% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experienced at least 1 instance of physical violence in the 12 months
3 in 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (65%) have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Show up and make a pledge and be apart of something BIG!
What does respect mean to you?
“‘’It is incredibly important that we raise awareness and hear community voices to promote equality and respectful relationships. We need to do this to make a difference to the lives of children and young people and demonstrate the change that is required for everyone in the community to benefit from” says ”
Background
BIG Respect first started in 2022 in partnership with The East Gippsland Partners in Violence Prevention working group (EGPVP) was formed in 2016. The purpose of the EGPVP is to work in partnership with the Children’s Wellbeing Collective to support family violence prevention programs and activities. Fifteen East Gippsland based organisations are active members of the EGPVP, being:
54 Reasons (previously of Save the Children Australia),
Gippsland Women’s Health (GWH)
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH)
Uniting Gippsland
East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC)
Orbost Regional Health (ORH)
Omeo District Health (ODH)
Quantum, Department of Education Training (DET)
Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS)
Department of Families Fairness & Housing (DFFH)
Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA),
Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service (YWAHS)
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS)
Gippsland East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC)
Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Services (LEAHA)
Gippsland TAFE, Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN)
Gippsport, Wellways, Orange Door and Victoria Police
“When children and young people are exposed to domestic and family violence, their unique needs are often not prioritised in the response system. Including their voices in prevention activities like this project will empower them to act out their right to be heard and share their views with their wider community and public decision makers (article 12, UNCRC).” Yenny Huber, Regional
Manager, 54 reasons.
