Ballarat City Fire Brigade is putting white ribbons on its trucks this Friday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
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White Ribbon Day is an international movement that seeks to engage men to work to stop violence against women.
CFA operations manager Brett Boatman said that White Ribbon Day was about recognising that men were most often the perpetrators of violence against women and had a responsibility to work against violence.
“A big part of it is about starting conversations and learning more about the problem,” he said.
“We can also do simple things like removing sexist language or jokes around the workplace.”
One in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated against them by someone known to them, ABS data shows.
On average one woman is killed by a current or former partner every week in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology.
Mr Boatman said most men are not violent but it is important to recognise that some are.
White Ribbon Australia is asking men to take an oath to “stand up, speak out and act” to stop this domestic violence and abuse.
With one day to go before White Ribbon Day more than 195,000 people had taken the oath.
There are 648 White Ribbon events happening around the country, including events in Ballarat.
Mr Boatman said that it was important for the fire brigade to be involved and set a good example in the community.
“It’s important to be a role model,” he said.
“Put the white ribbon on the truck, wear a white ribbon and take the oath.”
To find out what you can do to help stop violence against women head to White Ribbon Australia’s website: whiteribbon.org.au.
