Mayor aiming for record male attendance at White Ribbon Day walk

Mayor Cr Peter Cox is hoping for a record attendance of men at this year’s White Ribbon Day walk on Wednesday November 25.

He is encouraging all workers, but men in particular, to work an additional few hours over the next few weeks so they can accrue some time in lieu and attend the annual event, which aims to raise awareness among men about their role in preventing violence against women. 

White Ribbon Day activities will be held at the Bendigo Town Hall from 12pm. Attendees will hear from guest speakers, former AFL player Luke Ablett and Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh, before walking from the Town Hall, down Bull Street, along Pall Mall, up Mitchell Street and through the Hargreaves Mall back to the Town Hall.

Cr Cox said it is important that men speak out strongly in support of this timely campaign.

“White Ribbon Day is an international day of action and the world’s largest male-led movement to prevent violence against women,” Cr Cox said.

“In the 2014/15 financial year Bendigo police received 2972 family violence reports, in which 90 per cent of the perpetrators were men. This equates to six reports a day. State wide, there were 70,000 reports, that’s approximately one call every eight seconds. These figures are shocking and truly heartbreaking.

“It would be wonderful to see as many men from our community completing the walk as possible. If you can only afford an hour of time, the walk will commence at 1pm from the Town Hall. Together we can send a powerful message that violence against women will not be tolerated in our city.”

The walk will be followed by a free community barbeque and entertainment in the gardens between the library and the Town Hall.

The White Ribbon Day Committee has also made a short video about White Ribbon Day, which gives an insight into the statistics surrounding family violence. To view the video visit https://youtu.be/MVb6sKX3cdo

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo