Blacktown, Hills communities mark White Ribbon Day

IT’S ONE too many when it comes to domestic violence with the figures of 40 reported cases of family and domestic violence each week in Blacktown alarming.

Ava Morrison with Quakers Hill senior constables Kristina Trebar and Alana Woodbury. Picture: Justin Sanson/Blacktown Council

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IT’S ONE too many when it comes to domestic violence with the figures of 40 reported cases of family and domestic violence each week in Blacktown alarming.

That’s why it is encouraging that hundreds of locals are signing the White Ribbon Pledge in Blacktown, the Hills and across Australia.

On Sunday, Quakers Hill LAC and St John Ambulance officers joined the community in the campaign against domestic violence at the Blacktown City White Ribbon Family Fun Day.

According to statistics quoted by Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali, on the average, there are 40 reported incidents of family and domestic violence in Blacktown each week, and one woman is killed each week in Australia.

St Johns Ambulance officer Simone Bland with Dhruv Kakkad, 4, and his mum Vasvi of Schofields at Stanhope Gardens.

Mayor Bali told the large gathering at the Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope Gardens, that the more voices that are heard against domestic violence the better because it will be a “chorus that cannot be ignored”.

“On average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of domestic violence,” mayor Bali said.

“In the city of Blacktown, there is an average of 40 reported incidents of family and domestic violence each week.

“These are shocking statistics that have a devastating impact the whole community.

“To break this chain of abuse, we as a society must stand up and say ‘enough is enough, we want this to stop’

Five-year-old Ava Manning of Stanhope Gardens is photographed by mum Monique on the jumping castle at Stanhope Gardens.

“By uniting as a community as we did yesterday, each one of us lends our voices to a chorus that cannot be ignored.

“We are sending a message that domestic violence has no place in our community.”

The day included free games, face painting, a jumping castle, rock climbing wall and live entertainment on stage.

The council’s White Ribbon garbage truck made an appearance, alongside trucks selling food and coffee.

Julia Micallef with son Jessie, 4 at Stanhope Gardens.

“Violence in any form is unacceptable and I ask all residents to consider gaining White Ribbon accreditation for their workplaces, and sign up to a program designed to prevent and protect people from abuse,” mayor Bali said.

NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller encourages everyone to stand up and take the White Ribbon pledge.

Stacey Nelan, Sunila Kotwal, Esther Obdam and Rebecca Grant from White Ribbon Australia at Stanhope Gardens.

“Police are regularly confronted with domestic violence situations which have a lasting impact on everyone involved,” he said.

“We all need to work together to prevent violence against women, by holding perpetrators to account.

“Domestic and family violence is a crime that does not discriminate; in the past it has been seen as a social issue — domestic violence is not a social issue, it’s a crime.”

Castle Hill High School organised a football game to mark White Ribbon Day. Picture: Castle Hill HS

Castle Hill High marks White Ribbon Day

White Ribbon events were held throughout the Hills, with the Castle Hill High School hosting their second annual football match to raise awareness against the prevalent issue of domestic violence against men and women.

Co-ordinator and Castle Hill High School PDHPE teacher of the event, Amanda Ghorra, organised three players, Chloe O’Brien, Olivia Price (Hills Football Association Ambassador) and Nicole Simonsen from the W-League Wanderers team to join the girls’ team to oppose a side made up of Castle Hill High teachers.

The three Wanderers players at the Castle Hill High School football game, from left: Chloe O'Brien, Olivia Price and Nicole Simonsen.

Castle Hill High School’s football game to mark White Ribbon Day.

“It was a great event to promote the message and a fantastic initiative,” principal Vicki Brewer said.

“I am proud that our staff and student body are active in developing awareness of this issue.”

■ White Ribbon Day also marks the start of 16 Days of Activism — an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding on International Human Rights Day on Sunday 10 December 2017.