The White Ribbon Ambassador program engages men to make women’s safety a men’s issue too. 

White Ribbon started in Canada in 1989, after a male student at the University of Montreal massacred 14 female students in an incident that traumatised a nation and brought the issue of violence against women to the forefront of people’s minds.

What was started by a small group of men is now a global movement of over 57 countries who are working to end violence against women.

The statistics of violence against women in Australia are harrowing to say the least – one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence by someone known to them, one in five have experienced harassment in the workplace and on average one woman is killed by their partner every week.

The issue also hits closer to home – the Central Hunter Local Area Command ranks fifth in NSW for domestic violence incidents.

Cr Pynsent said these tragic statistics highlight the work that needs to be done to prevent violence against women right here in the Hunter.

“The current statistics are unacceptable and as a White Ribbon Ambassador I am passionate about making sure our community is talking about domestic violence, because if we don’t talk about it, it simply won’t improve,” he said.

“In the lead up to White Ribbon Day, I have received numerous requests to attend events across the Hunter region and this highlighted the need for more ambassadors.

“For this reason, I am calling on people in our community to join me as a White Ribbon ambassador to help shift the culture of violence across our region and prevent this tragedy from continuing.

“It’s also important to work with our young people to help build a better future and I’m proud of the students and teachers at Mount View High who set an example and became a White Ribbon Ambassador school in 2015.”

The new ambassador program will launch next month. Applications can be made at www.whiteribbon.org.au.

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