Ending family violence is a community responsibility.
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That is the message being spread by the Launceston White Ribbon committee.
The group of volunteers are inviting the community along to a White Ribbon Night event in the Kingsway on Saturday, hoping to raise awareness about the devastating abuse experienced by victims of family violence – in particular, women.
But it’s not just about calling out the perpetrators.
White Ribbon ambassador and Launceston committee member Jeff Harper said it was about calling on the entire community to stand up and speak out against any kind of abuse.
“White Ribbon is about behavioural change, generational change,” he said.
“It’s about having conversations, talking to young adults, talking to children and also demonstrating that behaviour ourselves and putting our hand up and speaking out against something that’s not right.
“It’s the community’s responsibility to stand up for what is right.”
While some may see White Ribbon as a fundraising organisation, Mr Harper said this was not the case.
“The event on Saturday night is to raise awareness and the Launceston committee isn't there to fundraise, we’re there to raise awareness about what White Ribbon is and what family violence is and to try and promote respectful behaviour,” he said.
A personal safety survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2016 revealed one woman was killed every week by her partner, on average.
Nearly 500 women were killed from 2002 until 2012.
More than two million or about one in four women older than 15 had experienced at least one incident of violence by a partner and nearly three million had experienced physical violence.
It was not just up to women to fight the battle though. Mr Harper said more men needed to stand up against other men.
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“It’s about calling blokes out on their bad behavior and a lot of blokes don’t like being called out by women,” he said.
“Us men standing up and speaking out, that’s us walking the walk.
“We can talk the talk, but unless we are willing to put our hand up at the right time, we’re not walking the walk.”
Saturday night’s event will include free music, drink specials and food. The Launceston committee will also be encouraging members of the public to become White Ribbon supporters.
Register at whiteribbon.org.au.
WHITE RIBBON NIGHT:
WHERE: The Kingsway, Launceston
WHEN: Saturday August 4, 6pm until late
WHY: To raise awareness about family violence