GREAT Lakes’ male councillors took a stand at the last ordinary council meeting, pledging to never commit, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.
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November 25 was White Ribbon Day, marking the start of the organisation’s 16 days of activism in making women’s safety a man’s issue, too.
In the six months to June, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research recorded 185 incidents of domestic violence-related assault in the Great Lakes local government area.
Of those incidents, 151 were committed inside a residential property.
White Ribbon encourages men to take the oath, educate themselves and others on what behaviour is and is not acceptable toward women and take action if they suspect or see any domestic violence happening.
Councillors Tony Summers, John Weate, Jim Morwitch and Len Roberts took White Ribbon’s oath on November 25, leading the way in saying violence against women is not okay.
Captain of the Fire and Rescue NSW Forster station Paul Langley joined the councillors in making the White Ribbon oath.
‘‘Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, the State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and indeed, council are generally male-dominated organisations,’’ Mr Langley said.
‘‘By making people aware of the problem we can then acknowledge that violence against women is not okay.’’
Take the oath at whiteribbon .org.au.
