State of Origin a danger time for women according to White Ribbon

With reported domestic violence incidents rising by 40 per cent on State of Origin night, White Ribbon are calling on people to step in to prevent men’s violence against women before it occurs.

Origin fans are being urged to be on the lookout for disrespect and aggression from their mates and themselves, and step in to prevent men’s violence against women before it occurs.

With Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education data revealing there’s a 40 per cent increase in reported domestic assaults on Origin night, White Ribbon Australia executive director Brad Chilcott said the series could be a dangerous time for women.

“Thousands of fans are looking forward to game night tonight, but sadly we know we can also expect an increase in men’s violence and abuse of women,” Mr Chilcott said.

“Support services and experts are worried that the pressures of Covid and associated lockdowns, may add to the danger of men’s abuse and disrespect against women that has been shown to increase around the time of major football games.

“No woman should have to suffer abuse or harm, feel unsafe or threatened because of a sporting event. It’s every man’s responsibility to take an active role in preventing this.

“I ask every man, and especially every footy fan, to be extra vigilant in calling out disrespect and sexism when they see it over the next two months. Keeping an eye on our mates and intervening before they become violent could actually prevent women from suffering abuse on game night.”

White Ribbon’s STOP Kit gives men four steps to identify and prevent men’s violence against women:

• See: learn the signs of men’s violence and abuse of women, and look out for them.

• Talk: call other men out on their abusive behaviour and challenge disrespect towards women.

• Offer support: offer your support to the victim, ask other bystanders to step in with you, and call the police if necessary.

• Prevent: promote respect towards women every day, educate yourself, and change your own behaviour.

White Ribbon Australia is calling on men to take action if they see:

• Humiliating a woman in front of other people

• Making sexist jokes

• Deciding what a woman wears or eats

• Criticising a woman’s intelligence, mental health and appearance

• Monitoring what a woman is doing, including reading her emails and text messages

• Threatening to hurt a woman, her children or pets