WHITE RIBBON DAY 2018

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women with the vision that all women live in safety free from all forms of men's violence.The campaign works through primary prevention initiatives involving awareness raising and education, and programs with youth, schools, workplaces and across the broader community.

White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 23. White Ribbon Day signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, which ends on Human Rights Day (December 10).

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DARRYL JOHNSON ------------>

Intimate partner violence is the most common type of violence against women, affecting 30 per cent of women worldwide, according to the 2013 World Health Organization report Global and regional estimates of violence against women: Prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence.

Violence against women is a serious problem in Australia where:

• Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.
• A woman is most likely to be killed by her male partner in her home.
• Domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children.
• Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and ill-health in Australian women aged 15-44.
• One in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them.
• One in four children are exposed to domestic violence, which is a recognised form of child abuse.
• The cost of violence against women to the Australian economy is estimated to rise to $15.6 billion per annum.
• One in five women experience harassment within the workplace.
• One in five women over 18 has been stalked during her lifetime.

Research indicates that:

• There’s increased risk of mental health, behavioural and learning difficulties from childhood exposure to intimate partner violence.
• Children exposed to violence in the home are at an increased risk of going on to commit or experience violence.
• Domestic violence impacts an employee’s ability to perform tasks in the workplace.
• Violence against women in the workplace impacts on the organisational climate and employees’ sense of wellbeing.

But there is hope, because research also shows that:

• Building greater equality and respect between men and women can reduce attitudes that support violence.
• Social policy initiatives addressing gender inequity are central to reducing violence against women.

The violence perpetrated by men against women must stop and it is up to men to stop it.

The victims are not merely statistics; they are wives, sisters, mothers, daughters and friends. Good men cannot and will not sit on the sidelines while those they love are at risk of harm.

The White Ribbon Campaign is about recognising the positive role that men play in preventing violence against women. It fosters and encourages male leadership in the prevention of violence against women, based on the understanding that most men are not violent.

The Campaign is a means for men to speak out against violence against women, and to safely and effectively challenge the attitudes and behaviours of a minority of men who use or condone violence against women.

White Ribbon Australia believes in the capacity of the individual to change and to encourage change in others. Our generation can and must work towards stopping violence against women so that all women can live in safety, free from violence and abuse.

The prevention of violence against women will change society for the better.

Information:

White Ribbon Website      https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/day/