Australians are today encouraged to stand up, speak out, and act; to help end domestic violence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
People across the country will take the pledge, as part of White Ribbon Day.
While the White Ribbon organisation spreads its message year-round, on November 25, the message is particularly loud.
The conversation around domestic violence and its prevention has grown exponentially in the past five years.
No longer is talk of the heinous act shushed or whispered behind closed doors, we have acknowledged that we need to speak about it in order to stop it.
The preconceptions and cliches of domestic violence are on their way to being broken.
We’re starting to move in the right direction.
But every day, we must remind ourselves that the battle is not yet over.
While we can improve day-to-day situations for individuals, we need to ensure our actions are achieving the long-term goal of stopping domestic violence for future potential victims.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine put it will this week.
“It is going to need to be a generational change,” Commissioner Hine said.
There are two parts to tackling domestic violence: the immediate response, and the education.
Both deserve equal attention, and funding.
When an issue gains such prominence, it becomes a political and social issue.
It is easy to get caught up in numbers, data and statistics.
The public, the media and politicians want to see immediate results, on paper, in hard figures.
The difference that domestic violence education will make will not be immediately evident or headline-making.
It is an investment in our future generations, and one that we owe them.
So today, and every day: stand up, speak out, and act.
f you or someone you know needs help, the Tasmanian Family Violence Counselling and Support Service is available on 1800 608 122 from 9am until midnight weekdays and 4pm until midnight on weekends and public holidays.
The Safe at Home Family Violence Response and Referral Line is also available on 1800 633 937 or at I800respect.org.au.
In an emergency situation, call triple-0.