Join the White Ribbon Walk to end men’s violence against women
Published on 12 November 2018
Mildura Rural City Council is inviting Sunraysia residents to join what is expected to be one of the biggest White Ribbon Community Walks ever held in our region on Friday 23 November.
This month’s community walk is Council’s major event of the year in support of White Ribbon, which is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end men’s violence against women and girls, as well as promoting gender equality, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.
This year’s Walk will start in the Langtree Mall at noon and take the community along ‘Feast Street’ to the Langtree connection at Seventh Street and down to the Mildura Rowing Club lawns.
The community will then be invited to gather together and enjoy a free barbecue lunch, or bring their own picnic, providing a chance to learn more about White Ribbon and the numerous local and regional services available for victims of family and domestic violence.
There will be information stalls from the following organisations and groups at the community barbecue:
- Victoria Police’s Centre for Family Violence
- Department of Justice
- Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service
- Mallee Sexual Assault Unit
- Orange Door
- Murray Mallee Community Legal Service
- Gender Equity Action Project Team
- Mallee Family Care
- Bunnings Vic Rocks stand
People will also be able to show their support for White Ribbon in a variety of ways, including making their own White Ribbon, White Ribbon face-painting or writing messages of support and hanging them on our White Ribbon Tree.
Mildura Rural City Councillor Mark Eckel, one of Council’s four White Ribbon Ambassadors, encouraged Sunraysia residents to wear something white and join this month’s walk.
“I’m proud that we’re our region’s first and only White Ribbon-accredited workplace, and we continue to increase our commitment to this massively important program each year,” Cr Eckel said.
“I believe we’re certainly making a difference in raising awareness about men’s violence against women, and sending a very strong message throughout our community that it’s simply not acceptable and must stop.”
Council Chief Executive Officer and White Ribbon Ambassador Gerard José said that while it was encouraging to see the way Council staff continued to embrace the White Ribbon program, men’s violence against women remains a serious issue in our region.
“I believe we’ve definitely made progress, but unfortunately there’s plenty of evidence out in the community that men’s violence again women continues to occur all too regularly, making it vitally important that we maintain and continue to spread the White Ribbon message,” Mr José said.
For more information about this month’s White Ribbon Community Walk, contact Council White Ribbon Committee member and Human Resources Coordinator Angela Umback.
For anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au