Minister encourages men to swear on White Ribbon Day

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney used White Ribbon Day as an opportunity to encourage Western Australian men to swear never to commit, never to excuse and never to remain silent about violence against women.

"Statistics show one in three Australian women will be a victim of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime," Mrs McSweeney said.

"In Western Australia, between April 2008 and April 2009, WA Police responded to more than 30,000 call-outs to incidents of family domestic violence.  Seventeen people died as a direct result of family and domestic violence.

"White Ribbon Day highlights the need for a united stand against domestic and family violence and focuses on the positive roles men can play to create a culture where violence - and attitudes that encourage the use of violence - are unacceptable.

"The White Ribbon campaign is unique as it is aimed at prevention and focuses on encouraging men to take the lead role in their immediate communities and networks.

"Men have a responsibility to speak up and say:  'I swear never to commit violence against women, I swear never to excuse violence against women, and I swear never to remain silent about violence against women'.

"In Australia, family and domestic violence is the single greatest health risk to adult women and White Ribbon Day is critical in raising awareness about violence against women in our community.

"Sadly the reality is that many instances of family and domestic violence are never reported, so the community impact is even greater than what current statistics show."

Men can commit to the pledge by swearing online at http://www.myoath.com.au