23 November 2005
HREOC ambassadors show their opposition to violence against women and commitment to gender equity
White Ribbon Day honorary ambassadors John von Doussa QC (President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission) and Tom Calma (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner) have joined other prominent Australians in the fight against domestic violence.
Mr von Doussa and Mr Calma encourage people to wear a white ribbon on White Ribbon Day (25 November) to show their belief that violence towards women is unacceptable.
“White Ribbon Day is a chance for all men around Australia to show their condemnation of violence against women and commitment of support for gender equity,” said Mr von Doussa.
National research on the incidence and prevalence of violence against women provided by the Women’s Safety Australia study showed that more than one million Australian women have experienced violence during a relationship and 23% of Australian women who have ever been married or in a de-facto relationship experienced violence by a partner at some time during the relationship.
“As these figures suggest, domestic violence is a widespread, often hidden problem that occurs in all parts of society, regardless of geographic location, socio-economic status, age, cultural and ethnic background or religious belief,” Mr von Doussa said.
“What isn’t hidden however, is the often devastating impact - psychologically, socially and economically - on families, children and the community as a whole.”
Last year over 200,000 Australian men and women wore white ribbons on White Ribbon Day, which is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). White Ribbon Day is a highlight of Anti-Violence Week which commenced on 21 November.
Commissioner Calma said there is no issue currently causing more destruction to the fabric of Indigenous communities than family violence.
While acknowledging that some effective programs are in place, Mr Calma said: “The debilitating effect of family violence on Indigenous people and communities requires urgent attention. There remains a need for ongoing, continuous support for innovative, community-led solutions to address family violence and the adoption of a holistic, coordinated approach by governments.”
Media contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 23 November 2005.
