Council raises awareness by supporting White Ribbon Day

Mayor Mark Jamieson, 2015 Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year Chris Turner and council employees have marked White Ribbon Day by taking a personal pledge to demonstrate their opposition to violence against women.

Mayor Jamieson said White Ribbon Day was the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end men’s violence against women and girls.

“Today reinforces the Safer Families, Better Communities campaign on October 11 which saw councils from across Queensland unite with the community to send the clear message that family violence will not be tolerated,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“It also reinforces council’s Social Strategy vision that: our community will continue to thrive and enjoy a lifestyle that sets us apart. In all of our communities people are included, treated with respect and opportunities are available to all.

“White Ribbon Day Australia aims to create an Australian society where women and girls can live in safety, free from violence and abuse.

“Today, council, Queensland Police Service and the community have come together to take a stand and take an oath against domestic violence.

“As community leaders who care about the women and children in our lives, we can take responsibility to help ensure that women and children live free from fear and violence.

“We look forward to continuing our community awareness campaign against domestic violence at an upcoming symposium entitled Make it Stop on December 9.”

Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year 2015, White Ribbon Ambassador, Founder and CEO of SunnyKids Chris Turner said violence against women and families was at endemic proportions.

“Devastatingly, in 2015 on average two women in Australia have been killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence,” Mr Turner said.

“Disturbingly these cases only represent the tip of the iceberg. Lying beneath the surface are those women who have been physically, emotionally or verbally abused; and in the murky depths beneath all victims’ lies a culture that for too long has enabled domestic violence.

”I would like to publicly support our Prime Minister’s recent comments that violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia, that it is a national disgrace and that violence against women begins with disrespecting women and therefore requires a big cultural shift.

“Ten years ago we couldn’t even talk about domestic violence, but today we can. Now it’s time for action.

“What we do today, tomorrow and every day after that will determine the scale of domestic violence 10 years from now.

“It is my hope that with people taking action today that in another 10 years domestic violence will be on a much smaller scale.

“On December 9, we all have an opportunity to provide leadership and call for action about domestic violence in our region.

” The University of the Sunshine Coast and SunnyKids will be joined by council, SCOPE, In Place, Uniting Community Care and the Community Legal Service to host Make it Stop – a community led action plan to stop DV on the Sunshine Coast.

“I am pleased to announce that inspirational Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, will join Mayor Mark Jamieson and local experts to take part in identifying what we as a region would like to do about this pervasive issue.

” Those who wish to support the critical work of White Ribbon Australia in the prevention of men’s violence against women can also make a tax deductible donation at www.whiteribbon.org.au/donate. All funds raised will support primary prevention initiatives in schools, workplaces and the broader community.

For 24-hour, confidential, domestic violence counselling, support and refuge support call DVConnect on 1800 811 811 or SCOPE Sunshine Coast regional domestic and family violence service on 5430 9300. If you are in immediate danger please contact Police on 000.

Photo: White Ribbon Day Ambassador Brett Phillips, Queensland Police Sunshine Coast District Officer, Superintendent Darryl Johnson, Mayor Mark Jamieson and Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year 2015, White Ribbon Ambassador, Founder and CEO of SunnyKids Chris Turner.