MEN across our region donned a white ribbon today to show they want to eradicate violence against women.
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An annual White Ribbon Day event and morning tea was held at the Nambucca Valley Men’s Shed to highlight domestic violence – where a number of local men took an oath to “stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women”.
The local men’s shed members followed in the footsteps of a number of prominent figures in the Nambucca Valley who showed their support for the White Ribbon campaign in a short local film – One Voice One Community.
The film was a collaboration between the Nambucca Valley Against Domestic and Family Violence committee and the Local Health District.
Local heroes, World Surf Champion Trent Munro, Dr Danny Ryan, Principal Malcolm MacFarlane, Teachers Reg Donovan and Elliot Keen, Nambucca Youth Centre’s Chris Hewgill, and well-known community member Garry Johnson came together to raise awareness about violence against women in the short two-minute video.
They were supported by Cheif Executive Mid North Coast Local Health District Stewart Dowrick, and Superintendent Paul Fehon Local Area Commander NSW Police.
Guest speaker at the men’s shed, former magistrate Wayne Evans, said it was an all too common occurrence that needed to be addressed early on.
“It’s for better or for worse, not better or the hearse,” Mr Evans said.
“This is not going to stop just because men say so, we’ve got to get to the root of the problem.
“There are many ways someone can force themselves over someone – no matter which way, it’s all unlawful.”
Violence against women is a serious problem in Australia where one woman is killed every week as a result of domestic violence and one in four children are exposed to domestic violence.
White Ribbon activities are a chance for men to take the lead in stopping domestic violence and the film is way for local men to show their leadership on this issue.
“Violence against women happens across all socio economic and cultural groups. Everyone deserves to be safe and it is our responsibility as individuals, family and community members to ensure this,” Terry O’Keefe, Chairperson of Nambucca Valley Against Family and Domestic Violence Committee said.
