The City of Ryde Council has successfully completed the White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Program, which recognises the organisation's ongoing commitment to eliminating family and domestic violence.
Facilitated by community service organisation, Communicare, the program requires workplaces to meet 15 criteria to demonstrate a safer and more respectful workplace that is tak ing active steps to stop violence against women.
The 15 criteria are.
Leadership and Commitment • Leadership and Commitment • Commitment of Resources • Internal Communications • External Communication • Collaboration • Demonstrate engagement in the prevention of violence against women
Prevention of Violence Against women • Policies, Procedures and Documents • Communication of Policies and Procedures • Manager/ Supervisor Training • Staff Training • Risk Assessment • Expectations of Contractors
Response to Vio lence Against Women • Response to Victims • Response to Perpetrators • Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said it was a great achievement to be recognised as a White Ribbon Australian accredited workplace.
"As a Council, we have led the way in taking a stand against domestic violence and this workplace accreditation is the latest step in our journey to end violence against women for good," Clr Laxale said.
"At the City of Ryde we strive to be an inclusive a nd safe working environment for staff at all levels of our organisation. The White Ribbon Australia accreditation process has strengthened that internal culture.
Status of Women Advisory Committee Chair, Clr Penny Pedersen, said the White Ribbon Accreditation demonstrates Council's commitment to ending violence against women.
"This accreditation builds on the large number of initiatives we have undertaken during this term of Council to tackle domestic violence, including the implementation of 10 days of paid domestic violence leave, staging the Make A Stand march in Macquarie Pa rk and commissioning a benchmark production of 45 podcasts, in six different languages designed to reach out to victims from various cultural backgrounds" Clr Pedersen said.
White Ribbon Australia Executive Director Brad Chilcott congratulated the City of Ryde for achieving accreditation.
"Violence against women impacts on the health and safety of employees, their wellbeing and their productivity," Mr Chilcott said.
"We urge all Australian workplaces to take the lead of the City of Ryde and demonstrate a culture of zero tolerance of violence against women."
White Ribbon Australia is a part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence.
striving for an Australian society where all women and children are safe, including in our workpla ces.
If you are experiencing any form of violence please call the Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 656 463 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
