2 November 2006
HREOC ambassadors show their commitment to eliminating violence against women
White Ribbon Day Ambassadors John von Doussa QC (President), Graeme Innes AM (Human Rights Commissioner) and Tom Calma (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner) have joined other prominent Australians in taking up the challenge to positively change the attitude of men about condoning and using violence against women.
The President and Commissioners Innes and Calma encourage all people to get involved in the White Ribbon Day campaign by wearing a white ribbon and showing their support for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November).
Figures show that there were over 400 000 male perpetrators of violence against women in the 12 months prior to an ABS survey conducted in 2005 (ABS Personal Safety, Australia survey). The survey also showed that nearly 1.3 million women have experienced violence (physical and sexual) from a current or former partner since the age of 15.
"Change will only occur if we each accept personal responsibility to show it"s never OK to be violent to women," said President von Doussa. "Violence against women will only cease to happen when men join with women to put an end to it."
Commissioner Calma said he actively supports Indigenous leaders standing up and voicing a clear message that violence against women is not acceptable.
"Although often a hidden problem across Australia, violence against women occurs in all parts of society regardless of socio-economic status, age, cultural and ethnic background or religious belief. Too often its devastating effects, be they psychological, social and economic, short and long term, rebound on families, children and the community as a whole," said Commissioner Calma.
Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes AM said: "As a husband, father and son, I know how important it is that men send a clear message to other men that violence against women is unacceptable because such actions are a violation of women"s fundamental human rights".
For more information on the White Ribbon campaign see www.whiteribbonday.org.au
Media contact: Paul Oliver on 02 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated January 31, 2008 .
