White Ribbon Day encourages every Australian to remember that physical and verbal violence against women will not be tolerated.
Last year, I wrote a column about the overt violence towards women shown by some famous faces.
Shock-jock Kyle Sandilands made the list for his verbal abuse of a female journalist, although thankfully he seems to have let a “nice guy” persona take over.
So, too, did actor Matthew Newton, who, I believe, used mental illness to try to excuse the physical abuse of his girlfriend.
Frustratingly, this year, not much seems to have changed.
The incredibly degrading American game of lingerie football is gaining a foothold in Australia.
This full-contact “sport” – and I hesitate to call it that – relies on the gross objectification of women, who wear practically no protective gear and are not paid a single cent while making the league owners extremely wealthy.
I find it hardly surprising that police have reported a 30 per cent increase in reports of family violence and violence against women in Wyndham in the past year.
Most disturbing of all is the fact that one Australian woman dies every week from domestic violence.
The White Ribbon Foundation is asking all men to swear an oath to stand up if they see a violent act being committed. If you see something you’re not comfortable with, there are ways to act safely.
Make the perpetrator aware that you’re watching their actions, ask others around to help intervene or call the police.
By doing so, you’ll be showing the respect women need to make our communities safer.
White Ribbon Day is next Monday.
– Emma Sutcliffe is a Little River-based freelance writer
