White Ribbon campaign gets massive boost in the Hills
CASTLE Hill RSL Club is joining The Hills police command and Hills Domestic Violence Network for its 2017 White Ribbon Day campaign.
Hills Shire
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CASTLE Hill RSL Club is joining The Hills police command and Hills Domestic Violence Network for its 2017 White Ribbon Day campaign.
The club has organised a Hills Community White Ribbon march and breakfast and a dedicated event for high schools to educate and share the program with young people in the community. More than 300 tickets have been sold for this event with high schools attending from across the Hills.
The march from Castle Towers to the club will be on November 24 from 7am, followed by a community breakfast at the club.
White Ribbon Australia works to end men’s violence against women. All funds raised will support primary prevention initiatives in schools, workplaces and the broader community.
“Violence against women is at epidemic proportions,” Castle Hill RSL Group president Warren Glenny said.
“Devastatingly, over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of intimate partner violence.
“A spectrum that encompasses financial, verbal, emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse as well as workplace harassment.
“They all form part of a devastating cycle of violence ... the women lost are not just statistics — they are wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, colleagues.
“Most importantly, they are people, and the impact of the violence perpetrated against them is widespread and longstanding.
“Bringing an end to men’s violence against women will take a whole of community approach.”
Hills Community Aid has also introduced its revamped White Ribbon campaign at Castle Towers, with dozens of schoolchildren creating several art works which can be seen throughout the month.
HCA safe communities program worker Sarah Keane said the campaign included an oversized White Ribbon, canvas installation and Instagram.
“The main purpose of the stall is to create conversation and awareness to prevent violence towards women,’’ she said.
“Our campaign this year involves multiple elements, including the oversized White Ribbon, canvas installation and an Instagram campaign.
“The main purpose of the stall is to create conversation and awareness to prevent violence towards women.
“The canvas installation has been created by various local organisations and schools and we encourage members of the public to come and have a look at the beautiful pledges that have been made.”
The schools involved include Australian International Academy — who are volunteering at the stall throughout November — Castle Hill High, Model Farm and St Gabriel’s School.
During November small cardboard ribbons will be sold for $5, giving the public the opportunity to pledge by signing or writing on them and sticking them to the oversized white ribbon.
STOP IS THE THEME
STOP is the theme of this year’s White Ribbon Day on November 25, which includes a guide to help men safely intervene when they witness disrespect, abuse or violence against women.
The “STOP Kit” will be championed by the nation’s police commissioners, federal politicians (at a White Ribbon Day breakfast in Canberra) and high-profile White Ribbon ambassadors, including musician Reece Mastin.
Leading Australian businessmen, sport stars and musicians pledging their commitment as White Ribbon Ambassadors and lending their voice to a television commercial which urges men to play an active role in preventing violence against women.
White Ribbon Australia is calling on all men to take a stand against disrespectful behaviour and all acts of violence against women.
STOP stands for:
■ See (Know the signs and pay attention because your actions are important in helping to stop violence against women)
■ Talk (Words are part of disrespectful and abusive behaviour but words can also help stop abuse and prevent violence against women — speak up if you witness abusive behaviour)
■ Offer support (Intervening doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger — call the police, offer a ride home, offer to safely intervene)
■ Prevent (Think about what you can do every day to promote respect towards women, educate yourself and learn the signs of disrespect and abusive behaviour and don’t be afraid to talk about it with friends).
■ Details: whiteribbon.org.au/day