'Community by Community, Workplace by Workplace'
Today, thousands of Australians in local communities and workplaces, including Communicare, will celebrate
White Ribbon Day by committing to ongoing action to end men's violence against women by creating
Community Action Groups.
White Ribbon Day is just the start of a national call to action for everyone to play a role in eliminating men's violence against women.
We know it's not a one-size-fits all approach and it will require all of us to be all in. Working collectively, we can end men's violence against women community by community and workplace by workplace.
It's time to develop diverse, community-led responses to create a future free from all forms of men's violence and abuse. Communities have the solutions to the challenges they face and workers are best placed to know how to make their workplaces safer and more equal.
White Ribbon Day events aren't an end in themselves – they're a catalyst for ongoing action, and we urge those attending events to start
Community Action Groups to provide pathways for meaningful action to create change.
There are almost 200 events registered around the country, from the unveiling of a 'Purple Bench' in Newman WA, to a food stall in Humpty Doo NT, to lawn bowls in Charleville QLD.
Already this year, more than 34 women have been killed in Australia and the Chief Justice of the Family Court says that domestic violence is at the worst level in 30 years.
In addition,
polling commissioned by White Ribbon Australia in September 2020 showed young Australian men were the least likely to recognise both physical and emotional abuse as domestic violence.
White Ribbon Australia's new
Community Partners program invites people from all walks of life to play a part in leading, encouraging and supporting their community to eliminate violence against women.
Our Community Partners will also play an important role in the creation of Community Action Groups across Australia – like-minded people coming together to bring about real and lasting change.
This might include driving community-led and designed responses; working with existing organisations or networks; supporting the good work already being done in the community; bringing stakeholders together; advocating for necessary services; and developing community action plans.
More than 25 expressions of interest for Community Action Groups have already been registered, including a youth group in Hobart, entertainers on the Gold Coast, a Mosque in Adelaide and stand up paddle boarders in Torquay.
Together, we can eliminate men's violence against women - community by community and workplace by workplace.
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