Councils across Australia are raising awareness of violence against women with many hosting White Ribbon Day events including morning teas, luncheons and staff marches.
White Ribbon Day is November 25, the International Day for the elimination of violence against women and the start of the 16 days of action against gender violence.
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) president and White Ribbon Day Ambassador Cr Bill McArthur said the statistics of violence against women were staggering, especially when it is preventable.
“One in three women in Australia over the age of 15 has experienced physical violence.
“That figure is disturbing and we need to do whatever we can to support awareness raising.
“I will be attending a White Ribbon luncheon at Melbourne Town Hall, then a walk against family violence from Federation Square.
“I urge all councillors to host or attend an event and take the White Ribbon Day oath.
“More councils than ever before are now involved in White Ribbon Day in some way.
“For example Hume Council will host a presentation to more than 200 school students where a family violence survivor will make a speech, along with Victoria Police members.
“Darebin Council are holding a march from the Preston Police Station to the Preston Oval where there will be a short presentation.
“Mount Alexander Shire White Ribbon Ambassadors hosted a men’s breakfast.
“In Ballarat and Latrobe, councils are spreading the message about White Ribbon Day with ‘Violence against women stinks’ slogans on garbage trucks and ‘Bin Violence Against Women’ stickers on garbage bins.”
Surf Coast Shire will be forming a human white ribbon to show its support for the campaign.
Councillor Brian McKiterick believes there is still more to be done to raise awareness and prevent violence.
“Despite progress in recent years in raising awareness of the problems of family violence and violence against women, we as a community still need to work to address this issue.
“The costs of family violence to individuals and to our community are totally unacceptable.”
Surf Cost Shire Mayor, Cr Margot Smith, said Council had marked White Ribbon Day with dedicated events over a number of years to help raise awareness.
“I encourage the whole community to get behind this event and make a powerful statement that we will not tolerate violence on the Surf Coast.”
