Saying NO to violence against women

Saturday 25 November was White Ribbon Day. Women, men and children in a large number of countries wore a white ribbon in support of preventing domestic violence. In the main cities in Australia demonstrations were held to mark the day. 

Violence against women is now recognised to be a serious and widespread problem in Australia. While it has enormous individual and community impacts and social costs making it a huge social problem, it has been recognised that it should ultimately be preventable. However, the available statistics are quite revealing. 

It has been found that on average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia while one in three Australian women has experienced physical violence, since the age of 15. Among other findings, one in five Australian women has experienced sexual violence, one in four physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, and one in four emotional abuse by a current or former partner.

The non-profit organisation ‘White Ribbon Australia’ is working hard to end men’s violence against women. Through numerous initiatives the organisation seeks to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate men’s violence against women, by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

Of special interest is the oath-taking when the support of males is sought “never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women” thus making them to be the faces and leaders of the campaign. Women support is obtained through encouraging the men in their lives to make a commitment to promote positive attitudes and behaviours towards women, as well as to intervene safely to prevent violence against women when needed.

White Ribbon uses the definition of men’s violence against women found in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women: ‘Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.’ 

The impact of this violence on women can be physical, sexual and psychological. Violence against women can also result in death: women die from the negative health effects of violence and some are killed. Violence against women affects women’s well-being and prevents them from fully participating in society. It also impacts on families, the community and the nation.

White Ribbon Australia is 90% funded by the community. “We rely on donations from the community to drive social change and challenge the attitudes and behaviours that can lead to men’s violence against women”, the organisation sates. The money collected is used to develop and extend prevention work which includes programs in schools, workplaces and the broader community along with initiatives to engage men, advocacy, community support and training.

In an award-winning professional learning initiative for principals and teachers titled ‘Breaking the Silence’, foundational knowledge, tools and strategies to implement respectful relationships and domestic violence education programs in schools have been provided. The programme supports schools to bring about a commitment to stop violence against women. It builds on existing initiatives to strengthen a culture of respect and equality at all levels of the school community – through curriculum, role modelling from staff, policies and procedures, domestic violence education programs and strengthened family and community partnerships.

The White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation Program recognises workplaces that are taking active steps to stop violence against women, accrediting them as a White Ribbon Workplace where a whole of organisation commits to stop violence against women, meeting 15 criteria under three standards to create a safer and more respectful workplace.

At the broader community level, White Ribbon Committees are formed comprising groups of passionate Ambassadors, Advocates and Supporters who represent and coordinate the White Ribbon social movement. There are currently 30 White Ribbon Committees activating community owned and driven initiatives all over Australia. 

Another organisation, ‘Our Watch’ established “to drive nationwide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children”, declares that its vision is “an Australia where women and their children live free from all forms of violence”.