White Ribbon Australia - Council receives White Ribbon Accreditation
Published on 31 March 2016
WHITE RIBBON AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE
A further nine workplaces accredited by White Ribbon Australia for taking action to prevent men's violence against women
Today, White Ribbon Australia celebrates the accreditation of nine organisations as White Ribbon Workplaces, bringing the total number of White Ribbon accredited workplaces in Australia to 45. A further 120 workplaces are currently working towards accreditation.
The program is rigorous. Over an 18 month period, participating workplaces must satisfy 15 assessment criteria under three separate standards. They submit evidence of extensive staff consultation, staff engagement, staff training as well as new and improved HR policies and procedures.
“We congratulate these workplaces for their exceptional commitment to driving social change,” said Nicholas Cowdery AM QC Chair of White Ribbon.
“With one in three women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them in Australia, the likelihood of a workplace employing a current, former or potential perpetrator and one or more victims of domestic violence is high.”
“Workplace Accreditation gives employers across all sectors the means to create and sustain a working environment based on equality and mutual respect. The benefits of standing up and speaking out about men’s violence against women extend beyond the immediate office environment.”
Branding as a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace occurs when an organisation provides documented evidence against the Accreditation Framework. To date, this internationally recognised White Ribbon Australia Program has reached over 400,000 Australian employees since the program began.
“The diversity of organisations that we are accrediting today, from the public and private sectors, from small to large employers, is impressive. Each and every one recognises that ending men’s violence against women is 100% a workplace issue. They are committed to developing a workplace culture that demonstrates respect and gender equality.” Libby Davies, Chief Executive of White Ribbon Australia said.
Accreditation lasts for 3 years. Applications for re-accreditation must evidence a sustained commitment to the journey of attitudinal and behavioural change. White Ribbon will be reviewing the accreditation status of the organisations that took part in the 2013 pilot program later this year.
Organisations can visit www.whiteribbon.org.au/workplaces to register their interest.
Statement from Gerard José, Mildura Rural City Council CEO
I’m very proud to be able to say Mildura Rural City Council is now officially a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace and want to thank all of our staff who made the commitment to protecting women in our organisation.
Violence against women – whether it occurs in or beyond the workplace – impacts on the health and safety of women when they come to work. It has a detrimental effect not only on their mental and physical health and wellbeing, but also on the social fabric and productivity throughout the organisation.
With Council being one of the biggest employers in our region and with more than 50% of all Council staff being women, this program strengthens and builds on our already strong stance against community violence.
We are proud to now be a White Ribbon Workplace and of providing a respectful, safe workplace for women. We’re also very proud of our male staff who have taken on board the White Ribbon message and are now carrying that message into the wider community. MRCC has amazing staff who have been very supportive of Council seeking Accreditation and addressing domestic violence within our workplace and communities. They will continue to promote cultural change and generational change.
If any other organisations are interested in becoming a White Ribbon organisation, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to discuss with them our involvement and experiences with the program.
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Media enquiries and photo opportunities
Angela Umback
(03) 5018 8689
angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au