Local community members are urged to join police as they take an oath and make a stand to help end domestic violence at White Ribbon events across NSW today, NSW Police say.
In support of the international cause to end violence against women, officers will ‘swear’ to ‘stand up, speak out and act’ to help those affected by domestic and family violence at a ceremony held after the official White Ribbon Walk today (Friday 24 November 2017).
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller, APM, is encouraging everyone to stand up and take the White Ribbon pledge.
"Police are regularly confronted with domestic violence situations which have a lasting impact on everyone involved. We all need to work together to prevent violence against women, by holding perpetrators to account." Commissioner Fuller said.
"Domestic and family violence is a crime that does not discriminate; in the past it has been seen as a social issue – domestic violence is not a social issue, it’s a crime.
"There is no excuse for this type of violence. By coming together as a community for events like White Ribbon Day, we take a stand against perpetrators and say their behaviour is unacceptable."
White Ribbon is an International campaign to end violence against women, which originated in Canada in 1991 and is now active in more than 60 countries.
The campaign aims to recognise the positive role men can play in preventing violence against women.
"It is important to remember that domestic violence does not only mean physical assaults; psychological, mental and emotional abuse is also a form of violence," Commissioner Fuller said.
"It remains clear that a significant number of incidents still go unreported, which is something we must change. Unfortunately, we can’t take action if we don’t know someone needs help.
"Never underestimate the significant role you can play in addressing domestic and family violence; what you know could save someone’s life." Commissioner Fuller said.
White Ribbon Day also marks the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding on International Human Rights Day on Sunday 10 December 2017.
For further information about White Ribbon Day, including where you can purchase ribbons and how you can show your support, visit www.whiteribbon.org.au.
Police across NSW will be involved in events for White Ribbon Day. For more details on events in your community, please contact the relevant Local Area Command.
As part of the commitment to addressing domestic violence, NSW Police have joined forces with other states and territories to enforce the introduction of the National Domestic Violence Order Recognition Scheme.
Led by Victorian Police, the new initiative sees a change to legislations which will commence on Saturday 25 November 2017. It will allow police from each state or territory to enforce domestic violence orders from other states.
Victims of domestic violence will now be protected across all states and territories. Previous legislation only allowed the order to be upheld in the state or territory in which it was issued.
This change will see a greater enforcement of domestic violence orders and give police the power to act when breached and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
For more information in regards to these changes, please call LawAccess on 1300 888 529 or visit: http://www.localcourt.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/cases/avo_procedures.aspx
Police are urging anyone with information about domestic-violence crimes to call Crime Stoppers.
