Hunter businessmen say NO to violence against women.
A number of Hunter businessmen are taking a stand against violence towards women and are encouraging all men to do the same.
The businessmen are taking the White Ribbon Day oath in three new advertisements in the Newcastle Herald that started appearing yesterday. Each advertisement has eight prominent Hunter men who take the White Ribbon Day oath to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
The businessmen taking part in the campaign include Hunter Business Chamber president and Sparke Helmore partner Richard Anicich, John Church Advertising owner John Church, JSA Financial Planning Group owner Jeff Shakespeare, Greater Building Society CEO Don Magin, RDA Hunter CEO Todd Williams, Awabakal CEO Don McCaskill and Hexham Bowling Club secretary manager and ClubsNSW Newcastle representative Jon Chin. The businessmen join other local media, community and sporting identities in the campaign.
The campaign is being run prior to White Ribbon Day on November 25 when a breakfast will be held at Club Panthers, Newcastle. Jon Chin is a White Ribbon Day Ambassador and the convenor of the local breakfast committee. He said several hundred people are expected to attend the breakfast. A number of businesses support the breakfast each year by taking out a table so their male staff can attend.
A business sponsor is being sought for the event to cover the cost of sending young men from various schools around the Hunter to the breakfast. Proceeds from the breakfast go to various women's shelters in the region.
Jon said the Hunter had scored a coup this year with the Australian chairman of White Ribbon Day Lt Gen (Rtd) Ken Gillespie coming to be the guest speaker. 2HD radio presenter Meryl Swanson will emcee the event.
He said it is vitally important that men take a stand because most violence towards women is committed by men.
“Businesses need to take a stand too because violence is just wrong and is being perpetrated against female staff or the women in the lives of the men who work for them,” Jon said.
“Violence against women is also costing business and the economy,” he said.
According to a report prepared this year by KPMG the cost of violence against women and their children to the Australian economy reached $14.7 billion. Almost half of this figure (48 per cent) was attributed to the pain, suffering and premature mortality rates experienced by victims and survivors of violence. That figure is expected to rise to $15.6 billion by 2021.
White Ribbon Day is commemorated around the world. It was started in Canada in the early 1990s to remember the deaths of 14 women who were massacred by a man at a technical college in Montreal.
For more information about White Ribbon or to take the oath visit their website.
What | Hunter White Ribbon Day Breakfast
Where | Newcastle Panthers
When | Monday 25 November 2013 from 7am – 8.45am
Cost | $35.00
RSVP | Call 4926 6200
