White Ribbon Day: Ending Violence Against Women

White Ribbon is an organisation aimed at stopping violence against women before it happens and ensuring the discussion surrounding family violence is no longer a topic of conversation that is whispered in secret.

White Ribbon Day is today, 25 November 2016, and is recognised internationally. White Ribbon Day has a focus on ensuring men stand up and speak out about the issue of violence against women. So far 195,033 oaths have been taken by people to “Stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women”.

White Ribbon also has a program which encourages “the breaking the silence” at a far earlier age, the program is aimed at students and schools.

It is a credit to the teachers, staff and students at schools who are utilising this program to encourage respect and gender equality and ensure there are changing attitudes which support ending violence.

Having this important conversation in schools and with students allows young people to be informed about violence against women and therefore educated about breaking the cycle of violence.

I was pleased to attend the White Ribbon assembly at Varsity College School today where the student leaders spoke about what respect means to them. It was wonderful to see the support of local community members such as:- Gold Coast Suns White Ribbon Ambassadors, Michael Hart MP and Councillor Hermann Vorster.

More information on the work by White Ribbon Australia, go here: www.whiteribbon.org.au.

Joelene Nel is a family lawyer at McLaughlins Lawyers, she is happy to assist you with questions about your domestic violence and other related family law matters. Please contact the McLaughlins Lawyers office on (07) 5591 5099 if you require further assistance.

 

Author: Joelene Nel

Director: Sophie Pearson

Date: 25/11/2016