Stopping the Violence in Our Homes

November 25, 2015
by Rodney Olsen
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white-ribbon-day1

There is so much on our news today that could make us wonder if it’s safe to even walk out of our front doors, but for many, they’re not even safe in their own homes. How can this be happening in Australia?

When you look across an entire year you’ll see that on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia. One in four young Australians are exposed to domestic violence. In such an amazing country, how have we allowed this to happen? Are we prepared to let this continue?

You might feel that domestic violence is someone else’s problem but with it having such a dramatic effect across our nation, it’s everyone’s problem. White Ribbon Australia calling on men, women, workplaces, young people and the whole community to uncover secrets and help stop men’s violence against women.

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women.

Vision
All women live in safety free from all forms of men’s violence.

Mission
Making women’s safety a man’s issue too.

The campaign works through primary prevention initiatives involving awareness raising and education, and programs with youth, schools, workplaces and across the broader community.

Today is White Ribbon Day. We all need to make this our issue. Take a few minutes to watch the video below.

I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

Now that you’ve watched the video, take the oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent domestic violence. If you’re still wondering what you can do about it, spend a bit of time checking out the White Ribbon website. While you’re there, I hope you’ll also throw in a few dollars to help the White Ribbon cause.

This violence must stop. You must be part of the solution.



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Uncovering the Secret

November 25, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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White-Ribbon

Every week at least one Australian woman dies from domestic violence. There is something very, very wrong in our community when men still think it’s OK to harm women.

Violence against women is never acceptable.

Today, the 25th of November, is White Ribbon Day. A day promoted by White Ribbon, Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women.

If you want to play your part to stand up to violence against women there are many things you can do to take action. You can also find out more about safely challenging violent behaviour.

You can let the world know where you stand on violence against women by swearing an oath.



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Hey Mate!

October 23, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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Every week at least one Australian woman dies from domestic violence. There is something very, very wrong in our community when men still think it’s OK to harm women.

Violence against women is never acceptable.

White Ribbon, Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women, is getting ready for White Ribbon Day on Sunday the 25th of November. They’ve launched a new campaign that not only calls on us not to commit violence but to challenge it. Staying silent only lets violence against women continue.

Here’s just one of the short videos that are being used to get the message out.

If you want to play your part to stand up to violence against women you can help share the campaign. You can also find out more about safely challenging violent behaviour.

You can let the world know where you stand on violence against women by swearing an oath.



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All Fathers Should Swear

August 31, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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White Ribbon, Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women, believes that all fathers should swear this Sunday on Father’s Day. We’re all being encouraged to swear an oath that says, “I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”

You can find out more about their Father’s Day campaign and sign the oath at their website.

Contributing to the prevention of men’s violence against women requires more than simply being a non-violent man. It requires an understanding of the factors which underlie and contribute to violence against women and how these factors are deeply engrained in our culture, to the degree to which they are sometimes not immediately obvious. It requires an awareness of how these factors influence our beliefs, attitudes and
behaviours – about what it is to be a man and how to relate to others. It requires the courage to change, to adopt new beliefs and new attitudes, and it requires the knowledge and skills to put new actions and
behaviours in place.

Fatherhood provides this opportunity. Perhaps more than any other life stage, it delivers the chance for men to examine how the factors that contribute to violence against women impact on their choices and behaviours on a daily basis. A good father is a non-violent father. Yet fathers can do much more to prevent violence against women than being non-violent men themselves. Through their relationships with women and children and
their involvement in family tasks and responsibilities, fathers are well positioned to reflect on issues of masculinity and gendered power relations, to do more than just practice non-violence, but actively work towards the creation and maintenance of equal and respectful relationships, and to contribute significantly to the prevention of men’s violence against women.

Whether you’re a father, grandfather, brother or son, I hope you’ll swear this Father’s Day.



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