Yet with 30 per cent of violence committed against women being carried out by intimate partners, it is clearly necessary.

Yesterday was White Ribbon Day, the male-led campaign to end violence against women perpetrated by men, which signals 16 days of events ending on Humans Rights Day.

The statistics surrounding domestic violence in Australia are chilling:

● On average, one women will be killed each week by an intimate partner.

● Domestic violence is the chief cause of homelessness for women.

● Violence from a partner is the leading cause of disability and death for women aged 15-44.

● One in five women aged over 18 has been stalked in their lifetime.

Aside from the personal cost is the impact on Australia's economy, estimated at $15.6 billion each year.

The generational flow-on is one of the most insidious outcomes of domestic violence with children who witness violence in the home more likely to perpetrate it later in life.

With one in four children exposed to domestic violence, society is creating an exponential problem.

That is why initiatives like White Ribbon Day are fundamental.

Teaching men that women are equals and not the target of some Neanderthal belief about ownership should not be necessary. Sadly that is not the case.

Yes there are many types of domestic violence and men are not always the instigator and can in fact be the victim.

Some may contend that one element of White Ribbon Day, where men wear women's high heels in a metaphorical attempt to "walk in her shoes", serves to undermine the seriousness of the message.

But what is important is that the message gets out there and hopefully reaches some violent men and causes them to change.