White Ribbon Day- all sections of the community must take a stand to end violence

25-November-2008

White Ribbon Day was an opportunity for all sectors of the Australian community to commit to eliminating the incidence of violence against women, Shadow Minister for Women Sophie Mirabella said today.

“It’s a shocking fact that between 40 and 57% of Australian women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. We all have a responsibility, as a community, to address the culture of violence wherever it exists.”

“I give credit to the Rudd Government for establishing the National Council for the Prevention of Violence Against Women, which I know is working hard on a National Action Plan. It will be incumbent on governments at all levels and of all political persuasions to work together to make real progress on this important issue.”

Mrs Mirabella said a number of recent studies and reports had pointed to the ongoing nature of the culture of violence against women.

“A White Ribbon survey released earlier this month found that 1 in 3 teenage boys think it’s “no big deal to hit a girl”. Just yesterday figures were released that showed the number of women and children murdered in domestic violence is at a 10 year high.”

“We need to speak out against the culture of violence wherever it exists. Every woman in every community within Australia deserves to be treated like a human being.”

Mrs Mirabella said it was important that the “veil of secrecy” was lifted and that the issue was addressed squarely.

“How many indigenous women and children had to suffer abuse before the Northern Territory intervention? We cannot let colour or creed silence our support for all women and children who are confronted and scarred by violence.”

“White Ribbon Day is an important opportunity for all Australian men – in every community and of every background – to unequivocally declare that violence against women will not be tolerated in any circumstance, and to make sure that message is understood and practiced from one end of our continent to the other,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.