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Raising funds for vital cause

Tim MayneSouthern Gazette

That is why South Perth Rotaract Club is hosting a photography competition on Saturday, May 30, aiming to raise money for the White Ribbon campaign to stop violence against women.

South Perth Rotaract vice-president Ivy Willyams said she had witnessed the effects of domestic violence.

"When I was in high school, a girl I used to catch the bus with one day wasn’t there anymore " both her and her mother lost their lives to domestic violence," Ivy said.

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"Several years before this, a mate at primary school lost his mother to domestic violence and at the time I felt helpless and did not know what I could do to stop this happening to anyone else.

"I felt extremely sad and uncomfortable, but then I realised I must speak up about it and the White Ribbon campaign is a way to do that," she said.

The ramifications of domestic violence are far- reaching, affecting children, causing homelessness, mental illness, ill health disability and death.

The White Ribbon website estimated domestic violence costs the country $15.6 billion annually.

Ms Willyams said the campaign was also about recognising the positive contribution men could make to preventing domestic violence.

According to the White Ribbon website, "building up gender equality and respectful relationships between men and women can change attitudes and prevent violence," she said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2012 reveals that 46.4 per cent of men have experienced violence by a male perpetrator since the age of 15.

Ms Willyams said most of the time this violence had been perpetrated by an unknown male.

"We must remember that men are also victims of domestic violence," she said.

DETAILS

What: Rotaract Club of South Perth

White Ribbon Photography Competition

When: Saturday 30th May, 2015, 7pm

Where: South Perth Community Hall

Cost: $20 includes a free beverage

Photo competition closes Friday May 23

Email entries to: photocomp@southperthrotaract.org