23 JANUARY 2011 – White Ribbon, Australia’s only national male-led campaign to stop violence against women, commends the launch of the Victorian Coalition Government's new Action Plan to address violence against women and their children.
Victoria’s three year Action Plan highlights the need for a more coordinated approach to tackling the issue of violence against women at the State and Territory as well as Federal Government level.
“It is encouraging to see the Victorian Government’s commitment to this issue and their role in enacting the principles as outlined under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children,” says Libby Davies, CEO of the White Ribbon Foundation. “White Ribbon looks to all State and Territory Governments to deliver initiatives to combat the issue of violence against women. Such initiatives will work to complement the already established White Ribbon Campaign.”
Significantly, Victoria’s Action Plan emphasises the need for prevention and early intervention strategies through a range of attitudinal and behavioural change initiatives.
“The White Ribbon model is based on understanding and addressing the underlying causes of violence against women through research, awareness-raising programs and initiatives with schools, workplaces, universities and communities. It is heartening to see the Victorian Government take a comprehensive and coordinated stand on this issue. White Ribbon looks forward to contributing to the consultative phase of the Victorian Governments Action Plan,” says Libby Davies.
