Coffee cups spread anti-violence message

To coincide with White Ribbon Day, the City of Melton ran a Coffee Cup Campaign encouraging residents to reject violence against women.

For a week in late November, coffee cups at cafes and restaurants in the Victorian municipality were printed with the message, “It’s just a joke: No. It’s not. How we speak about women affects how people see and treat them.”

The Coffee Cup Campaign coincided with White Ribbon Day on 25 November, a date declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

City of Melton Mayor Sophie Ramsey said Council was proud to be involved in the Coffee Cup Campaign.

“We know that one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of fifteen,” the Mayor said.

“Putting a stop to this starts with challenging gender inequality and building greater respect between men and women in the home, in the workplace and in our whole community.

“Our Coffee Cup Campaign reinforces that how we speak about women affects how people see and treat them. Putting women and girls down is no joke.”

The Coffee Cup Campaign was delivered in partnership with Djerriwarrh Health Services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or being affected by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au