During this assembly, we will shine a spotlight on the importance of breaking the silence and fostering a community of respect and support. Through meaningful discussions and a call to action, we aim to inspire our students to be advocates for change.
Let’s stand together on White Ribbon Day, united against violence and committed to creating a safer, more compassionate world.
The following are extracts from the assembly speech by the prefects, which highlight the messages and meanings of the day:
“Every woman has the right to live free from men’s violence, and it is everyone’s responsibility to make it happen.
Understanding what drives men’s violence against women is extremely complex. Broad issues such as structural inequalities, affirm attitudes and social conditioning all contribute to the overarching prevalence of the problem.
The Central Coast has the highest percentage of domestic violence within NSW. This is a statistic that needs to change.
White Ribbon Australia knows that the foundation for changing social attitudes, behaviours and systems lies in being curious, getting informed, and promoting and delivering evidence-based actions for change.
The Australian Bureau of statistics reports that one woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days. They also state that 1 in 3 women have experienced violence by a partner, other known person or a stranger since the age of 15 and that 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15.
If you are someone who says ‘Oh but men experience violence too’ then you are missing the point. Yes men also experience violence within the home, and yes this also needs to end. However, 95% of all victims of violence, whether women or men, experience violence from a male perpetrator. Historically, this statistic has been higher. Whilst much of today’s speech has been confronting and negative, it is important to recognise that this is not a time to feel ashamed of being a man. You may not be a part of the problem, but you can definitely be a part of the solution.
For the remainder of this school year, I challenge you to be aware of the way in which your peers treat women. Rethink your perceptions of women. Rethink your current attitude and vocabulary towards the girls and women in your life. And most importantly rethink what it means to be a man. Call out sexist and derogatory behaviour. Stand up to those around when the wrong thing is being done.
You determine the culture of the world you live in, and if you want to live in a world where women are no longer abused by men, then take action, because the world is not going to change if you wait for it.
If you feel the need to talk to someone about this issue, please see your pastoral leader, one of your teachers, or our College Counsellors.”
