On White Ribbon Day (November 25), the community backed up its message with a show of support for the day dedicated to ending men’s violence against women.

People from throughout the community and throughout the country spoke out against family violence and took a pledge to stand up, speak out and prevent men’s violence against women.

A White Ribbon Day event at Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre drew together community members.

One in six Australian women over 15 have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.

One in four women has experienced emotional abuse from a current or former partner. 

And each week, a woman dies as a result of violence from a partner.

Police joined local communities to take a stand to help end violence against women at White Ribbon events across NSW on November 25.

The NSW Police Force took an oath to tackle domestic and family violence in support of the cause.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione called on everyone in the community to take the White Ribbon pledge to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

“Domestic violence does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages, genders, cultures and creeds. Whether you live in the city or in a rural area, domestic violence is ruining lives,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Domestic violence occupies more police time than any other crime type – over the last 12 months, police have responded to more than 28,000 reports of domestic-related assault, and there have been 27 domestic-related homicides across NSW.

“These figures reflect the serious and horrific affect domestic and family violence is having on our community, and why White Ribbon Day is an important opportunity to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to preventing violence of any kind.”

He said domestic violence was not just physical assaults, but included psychological, mental and emotional abuse.

“It remains clear that a significant number of incidents continue to go unreported, which is an attitude we must change. Unfortunately, we can’t take action if we don’t know someone needs help.” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Police are confronted with the scourge of domestic violence on a daily basis and they witness first-hand the devastating impact on victims, their families and the wider community.

“Now is the time we must come together to challenge and change disrespectful attitudes and behaviour; this is not the responsibility of any one person, it is a whole-of-community issue.”

He said changes in the past two years had included positive moves such as police-issued apprehended domestic violence orders that provided more immediate protection to victims, and the domestic violence evidence in chief video statements that can now be used in court.

Gunnedah police Senior Constable Dianne Klante and Inspector Paul Johnson were among those who took the White Ribbon pledge.