White Ribbon Day, 20th November, Raising Awareness on Domestic Violence

Calling All Queenslanders raising awareness for Domestic Abuse

With recent research showing 2 in 5 young men do not recognise both physical and emotional abuse as domestic violence, White Ribbon Queensland is urging all Queenslanders to help raise awareness for Domestic Violence during White Ribbon Day, Friday 20^th November.

Due to the uncertainty of COVID19, White Ribbon Queensland is asking everyone to decorate their letterboxes in white on Friday 20^th November, to raise awareness and start conversations on Domestic Violence.

According to Chiu-Hing Chan, Chair, White Ribbon Queensland, “the statistics surrounding domestic violence in the home tripled during COVID.

“We are looking for support from the community and businesses to assist us in mobilising change,”

“The purpose of White Ribbon Day this year is to not only speak about the change that is needed, but to also get involved.

“Speak to your neighbours, chat to your friends at sporting clubs, work and schools, encourage them to decorate their letterboxes white using ribbons, flowers or teddy bears and raise awareness for domestic violence.” he said.

Sue Clarke*, mother and grandmother of Hannah Clarke and her 3 children who were killed by their father earlier this year, joins White Ribbon Queensland in their letterbox campaign, commenting on the white letterbox campaign, Ms Clarke states, “it is so very important to get the message out there to prevent something like what happened to my daughter and my grandchildren from ever happening again.

“I will not be able to hug them again, but we, together, can make a change and break the cycle of domestic and family violence.” Ms Clarke continues.

White Ribbon Queensland encourages everyone to decorate their letterboxes with white ribbons, white balloons, white lights, white teddy bears, white flowers, streamers, or bed sheets to raise awareness and conversations surrounding Domestic Violence.

White Ribbon Day aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, promote respectful relationships and creating a community free of violence and abuse. Community by Community, workplace by workplace, White Ribbon Australia seeks to generate an ongoing message against gendered violence and eliminate men’s violence against women.

Queenslanders get behind White Ribbon Day, Friday 20^th November and help raise much needed awareness for Domestic Violence.

Given 1 in 3 women are at risk of being a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, we urge you to get behind this community initiative.

Simply decorate your letterbox using white ribbons, balloons, white streamers, or teddy bears to show your support.

Let’s Create a Community Free of Violence and Abuse

 WHO                          White Ribbon Queensland

WHAT                                    Raising Awareness for Domestic Violence

WHEN                        Friday 20^th November 2020

WHERE                     Decorate Your Letterboxes white to help raise awareness and start a conversation

WHY                           With 1 in 3 Australian women at risk of being a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, the White Ribbon Letterbox campaign aims to visibly raise awareness against domestic violence.

HOW                            Queenslanders can decorate their letterboxes or businesses with white ribbons, white balloons, white lights, white teddy bears, white flowers, streamers, or bed sheets to raise awareness and start conversations on Domestic Violence.

FAST FACTS AND STATISTICS

• Domestic Violence in QLD increased by 27.5% during COVID, according to the QLD courts.
• 1 in 3 Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime
• Approximately 10 women per day in Australia are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or domestic partner.
• 1 in 5 women over 18 years has been stalked during their lifetime
• 52 women are killed annually due to DV related cases
• 81% of Australians believe a person would not be detected or charged with Domestic Violence unless they physically injured or stalked someone, broke property or breached a DVO – Domestic Violence is more than just physical
• A recent survey conducted amongst young males, showed the 1 in 3 do not consider punching a form of domestic abuse
• 42% of men aged between 18 to 34 do not regard physical violence such as punching or hitting a woman, to be domestic violence, according to a recent survey conducted White Ribbon Australia
• During the AFL Grand Final Domestic Violence increased by approx. 15%
• Meanwhile there was a 28% increase in Domestic Violence on NRL grand final day.
• 70% of Australians believe coercive control over women should be a criminal offense

White Ribbon Day was established to engage and education men and boys on domestic violence and end violence against women and girls,

The White Ribbon campaign aims to promote gender equality and create new opportunities for men to build positive, healthy, and respectful relationships.

For my girlfriend, my wife, my sister, my daughter, my niece, and my Nan

White Ribbon Day, Friday 20^th November 2020