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TODAY marks White Ribbon Day, Australia’s only male led campaign to end men’s violence against women.
In Goulburn, shortly after 11am, a march will be held from the corner of Auburn and Verner Sts to mark the day.
In the lead up to the event, Goulburn men from all walks of life were asked to make the pledge to stop domestic violence.
Councillors, policemen, lawyers, horticulturalists, salesmen, accountants, managers and caseworkers alike fronted the Goulburn Post lens to declare “mate, it’s not ok”.
Among those taking the oath this week is Goulburn White Ribbon Ball committee member Aaron Harris.
"...This year and we’ve lost 78 women to violence committed by men."
- Daniel Strickland, White Ribbon Ambassador
“White Ribbon is a great cause for men to stand up for something. We look at all the women's organisations that are out there for equal rights and this is one that men can actually stand up for in their community and say enough is enough, it’s not right,” he said.
“Being a male led organisation to stop other males from being perpetrators it gives a real meaning towards what we are trying to say and the message we are trying to give”.
Mission Australia’s Area Manager South Eastern NSW and White Ribbon Ambassador Daniel Strickland said while it should be acknowledged men too can be victims of domestic violence, statistics of violence against women is a “terrible indictment”.
“It is an issue in the Goulburn region and we encourage all men to get involved and take part on White Ribbon Day, or get involved in events with their local sporting clubs and work on being that positive role model, so we can start to make a shift and get men to take responsibility for their actions,” Mr Strickland said.
“We look across Australia this year and we’ve lost 78 women to violence committed by men. That’s a terrible indictment on society, and the actions of quite a few men that are not having respectful relationships with women.
“That’s what it is all about, that gender equality, improving things for a society where men respect women, treat them with the dignity and the respect they deserve.
“We acknowledge that men are sometimes victims of domestic violence, but when we look at the figures over all, it is women that are mainly the victims of domestic violence. Across our services we are working with men that have been victims of domestic violence, but it isn't the higher percentage.”
Mr Strickland encouraged all men in the community to step out for the cause.
“I'd love to see more fellas there than women, that would be fantastic and would be a huge shift. Quite often we have White Ribbon events that are initiated by women, ran by women, and women are taking part. It’s a long road but we are slowly getting there and slowly getting more men involved.”
The Goulburn procession will begin on the corner of Auburn and Verner streets at 11.30am, with walkers asked to arrive at 11am. The walkers will then make their way down Auburn St and enter the Courthouse grounds for a gold-coin barbecue and memorial rose-planting.
At the time of print, more than 174,964 oaths had been sworn to White Ribbon. To make your pledge, go to whiteribbon.org.au/standup.
Men of Goulburn stand up, speak out on DV
See below for a series of videos of Goulburn men taking a stand against men's violence against women.