Saxon Rice is joining with local residents, parliamentary colleagues, celebrities, sportsmen, community leaders, business leaders, and thousands of men and women across Australia who will mark and help promote White Ribbon Day.
Ms Rice said all women deserve to live free from the trauma, despair, and devastating effects of domestic violence. However, the reality remains that one in three women over the age of 15 will be the victim of violence in her lifetime, and one in five a victim of sexual violence.
Ms Rice said she is encouraging her local community to actively participate by joining together and promising: „never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women‟.
"Each and every one of us can help raise awareness and create positive change around the issue of violence against women," she said. "Through a combination of awareness-raising campaigns, community events and initiatives with schools, universities, workplaces and sporting codes, the White Ribbon Foundation can change the attitudes and behaviours which lead to violence against women."
On the eve of White Ribbon Day, Saxon Rice today applauded a CanDo LNP government commitment to provide an additional $750,000 over three years for the Women‟s Legal Service to assist women suffering from violence and abuse.
"This is desperately needed funding for the Annerley-based Women‟s Legal Service," Ms Rice said. "The service has had to cut its operations by 20% due to chronic underfunding by the Bligh Government, so it‟s fantastic news that the LNP will revitalise this essential community operation."
"No victim of domestic violence, rape, incest, or anyone living in fear should have to cope alone. Our $750,000 commitment will help ensure no woman should be turned away."
