With the spike of domestic violence-related assaults in Port Stephens and number of deaths across Australia this year, White Ribbon ambassador Roger Yeo said now more than ever men need to stand up, speak out and act to prevent harm against women.
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In gearing up for White Ribbon Day on Friday Mr Yeo, from Nelson Bay, has been spreading the White Ribbon message in the community in an attempt to raise the profile of what he says is the “insidious issue of men’s violence against women”.
“It’s insidious because it’s not getting any better,” Mr Yeo said. “Seventy women have been killed in Australia this year, many of them by men they knew. This is a problem that’s not going away. We need to keep talking, having more conversations, about men’s violence against women, keep trying to change the statistics.”
In Port Stephens, incidents of domestic assaults have reached a 10-year high.
In the year to June 2018, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research recorded 358 incidents of domestic assaults in the local government area - the highest on record since 2009.
Domestic and family violence will be in the spotlight this week with White Ribbon Day kick-starting 16 days of action.
Mr Yeo said he was looking forward to a attending a breakfast at Tomaree High School on Friday where he has been asked to speak to students about men’s violence against women.
“It’s important to talk to teenagers about domestic violence and men’s violence against women because they are the next generation to normalise gender equity and begin the cultural change away from violence,” he said.
“When gender equity becomes normal, not something we have to fight for, that’s when I think we’ll start seeing positive results.”
Joel Ross, a Tomaree High School teacher and organiser of its White Ribbon event on Friday, said the aim is to empower students to speak out against violence and to prevent it in the future.
“This is the first year of doing something for White Ribbon Day but we want to make it a part of what we do here at the school,” he said.
“We know some of our students have seen domestic violence in the home.
“We want to empower students, to help them feel like they can do something, to speak out, and prevent any issues that could arise in the future.”
All members of the community are invited to attend a barbecue at the Salamander Bay school from 7.30am on Friday.
Boeing at Williamtown and Lahey Constructions in Salamander Bay have White Ribbon Day events scheduled for November 22 and 23.
Port Stephens Yacht Club held its annual White Ribbon Race Day on Wednesday.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
