White Ribbon Day is a national event that encourages people to speak out about violence against women.
Today the City’s libraries will host morning teas with all proceeds going to the Lucy Saw Women’s Refuge Centre in Rockingham.
Also signing the oath at the council building on November 17 was Family and Domestic Violence Action Group member Ken Kelly.
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READ NOWBy signing the oath the Mayor and all male employees of the City of Rockingham have now made a promise to uphold that oath.
“The statistics are staggering,” Mayor Sammels said.
“Violence is the biggest cause of injury or death for women aged between 18 and 45 in Australia.
“One in three Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence.”
The FDV Action Group represents a range of service providers in Kwinana and Rockingham that work to identify and reduce family and domestic violence in the region through education, community campaigns and training for professionals dealing with the issue. Mr Kelly said it was time perpetrators took responsibility.
“We are about raising awareness because it affects the whole community,” he said.
“It is a huge social problem and we need to start really protecting the victim and children by holding the perpetrators to account.”
Mayor Sammels said the Lucy Saw Women’s Refuge Centre was a valuable lifeline for women.
“We need to start speaking out, changing behaviours and teaching our children to respect women,” he said.
“We believe in a community where all women can feel safe. We are holding this event to help break the silence around violence, increase awareness and raise funds to support work to end violence against women.”
If you are experiencing violence or suspect someone else is, call 1800 RESPECT.