From White Ribbon ambassador Inspector Guy Guiana to Singleton Family Support’s (SFS) Lisa Brock, and Council’s acting general manager, Gary Thomson, the underlying message was the same – violence against women is never acceptable.
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Their speeches accurately articulated just how ingrained this type of behaviour is in our society, how devastating it is, and unfortunately, how it is often excused.
But most importantly they all highlighted that it can happen to anyone.
Inspector Guiana from the Hunter Valley Local Command recalling one very difficult brief he had to compile involving a victim, who was a district court appeal judge, and her abuser – a barrister.
Ms Brock says one in five family homes experience some sort of abuse, be it physical, sexual, emotional, financial or spiritual and they all have the same devastating and long term effects.
However, they all also offered a way forward at the Singleton domestic violence (DV) committee’s well attended White Ribbon Breakfast on Wednesday morning.
It is time for men to stand up and tell their mates this type of behaviour is not OK, and for women to speak out.
So those in attendance were asked to take the White Ribbon Pledge and promise never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.
Anglo American employee, Alan Hamson, did not hesitate to sign, and he was one of six from the company who answered the organising committees call for assistance, selling merchandise after the breakfast in the CBD.
“I have been in long-term relationship and there has never been any violence – there just shouldn’t be,” he explains.
“I taught my kids never to hit a woman.”
He says education is the key to changing behaviours.
When Detective Chief Inspector Steven Clark made his pledge, he told The Argus any sort of violence against women is unacceptable.
“I also would like to encourage women to speak up as the police and other agencies can support you,” he says.
Although, Inspector Guainna did acknowledge in his speech that this has not always been the case.
He says in the past the courts, police and other services have often “let women down”.
However, the “traction” the issue is getting due to campaigns like White Ribbon is changing this.
The New South Wales Government has introduced legislation that enables police to film domestic violence and record abuse victims, including children.
In a nationwide first, the law is aimed at making footage, including taped interviews from the crime scene, available as evidence in court cases.
It is hoped this may lead to tougher sentences by overcoming problems like the intimidation of witnesses and victims withdrawing their evidence.
Mrs Brock, who helped organise the event, says she was pleased to see such a large contingent of local officers at the breakfast, along with so many others.
“I would like to thank everyone for attending and the local businesses and services that made it possible,” she says.
“Thank you to the Youth Venue, the Men’s Shed, Roberts Meats, Highway Butchery, Bakers Delight, STAC Consulting, Charter Hall, the DV committee, Police, SFS, students from the High School’s Love Bites program, the women who created out butterfly display and Anglo American workers.”
“I hope this will continue to grow and become an annual event that encourages connections and raises awareness in our community regarding violence against women and children.”
But it was the famous quote by Edmund Burke she ended with that summed up the occasion – “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led campaign working toward ending men’s violence against women.