On the afternoon of December 6, 1989, a man walked into the École Polytechnique University in Montreal and massacred 14 of his female classmates. His actions traumatised a nation and brought the issue of violence against women to the forefront of our collective consciousness.
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Two years later, a handful of men in Toronto decided they had a responsibility to speak out about and work to stop men’s violence against women. As a result, the White Ribbon Campaign has spread around the world.
Today is White Ribbon Day and Yass High School’s Links to Learning class has lead the charge this week in supporting the movement against domestic violence.
“The students each year get to choose a project they want to focus on,” Program Facilitator from the Southern Region Business Enterprise centre Susan Fagan said.
“They came up with the idea of supporting and campaigning for White Ribbon Day.”
The 10 students in the Link to Learning Class lead the school assembly in a discussion about domestic violence and what White Ribbon Day is about.
Special quests Senior Constable Simone Houghton and Yass High School's liaison officer Senior Constable Gary Mutton also spoke at the assembly talking about the damning statistics of domestic violence.
Ms Houghton asked each student to look around and that every third girl in the room will statistically be a victim of domestic violence in one way or another.
“The victims of these violent acts are not merely statistics,” she said. “Good men cannot and will not sit on the sidelines while those they love are at risk of harm.
“We’re trying to bring about a change - your generation will be the change.”
Mr Mutton asked all of the boys in the room to stand to take the pledge against domestic violence - the voices sounding out in a chorus:
“I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women - this is my oath.”
The Hume Local Area Command (LAC) also hit the streets on Monday to help spread the word about violence against women.
LAC Superintendent Zoran Dzevlan said that it was important for men to realise that White Ribbon Day is not just about domestic violence.
“It’s about saying no to violence against women,” he said.
“It is important for me as commander that we communicate that message, that members of the community are courageous enough to say no by either intervening or reporting it directly to the police.”
White Ribbon is a primary prevention campaign - it works to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence against women. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence and needs help or support, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), a 24 hour National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line or Lifeline on 131 114.
