To date seven lives within the South West have been lost in 2018 to family violence, 28 lives have been lost state-wide – it is this statistic and many like it that drive home why White Ribbon Day and similiar events are so important. White Ribbon Day organiser Hovea Wilkes said it was about challenging the beliefs and the behaviours of a small number of men who perpetrated violence towards women and making it a community responsbility. “Across WA it has been a particularly horrific year in terms of fatalities and lives lost to domestic homicide,” she said. “Every life that is lost is devastating, whether it occurs in a family or group context or its a single homicide. “Child protection is everyones issue, family violence is also everyones issue.” The South West community is being encouraged to unite this Friday for White Ribbon Day to support the positive role men can play to stop violence against women. "Its about raising awareness and leading by example and talking to people to normalise the experience and to say youre not alone if its something youve experienced," Ms Wilkes said. "Its about choice, one of our speakers this year grew up in a violent household and hes going to talk about how he made the choice not to be a violent man. “We understand that the majority of people dont use or condone violence against women but those people are the majority and theyre silent,” she said. WA Police South West Family Domestic Violence Unit officer in charge Don McLean said it was about starting the conversation and advocating for change. “The idea is to try and make violence against women not just a mens issue, but making it public and having it discussed openly,” he said. “What were trying to do is let people know that there is support services out there that people are willing to listen to your story and that agencies are there to help in many different ways.” Mr McLean said change in attitudes needed to be part of the solution. “Its about turning the silent majority of people that dont condone family violence into a vocal majority,” he said. “Its not just physical violence were speaking about, there is emotional violence, isolation, financial violence, controlling funds, monitoring social media, cutting off from friends and family, sexual violence. “What we sometimes find is that when we do engage with victims of family violence they often dont see themselves as victims because they havent been punched but theyve still been subject to family violence along those other avenues.” In 2017, one life was taken in the South West while another six across Western Australia was lost, with this years numbers showing a significant increase. South West Refuge chief executive Michelle Bickers said the day helped to raise awareness and encouraged men to speak up and stand up for the protection of women and children. “The South West community is not immune to family and domestic violence and recent figures have regrettably indicated an increase in reported incidents,” she said. “It is tragic the number of lives recently lost, and it is time to take a stand and support this event to protect women and children from serious harm.” “Stop being silent about violence within our community, and stop judging women who are victims.” Anyone affected by family or domestic violence should call the national family and domestic violence counselling and support service on 1800RESPECT.

To date seven lives within the South West have been lost in 2018 to family violence, 28 lives have been lost state-wide – it is this statistic and many like it that drive home why White Ribbon Day and similiar events are so important.

White Ribbon Day organiser Hovea Wilkes said it was about challenging the beliefs and the behaviours of a small number of men who perpetrated violence towards women and making it a community responsbility.

“Across WA it has been a particularly horrific year in terms of fatalities and lives lost to domestic homicide,” she said.

“Every life that is lost is devastating, whether it occurs in a family or group context or its a single homicide.

“Child protection is everyones issue, family violence is also everyones issue.”

The South West community is being encouraged to unite this Friday for White Ribbon Day to support the positive role men can play to stop violence against women.

"Its about raising awareness and leading by example and talking to people to normalise the experience and to say youre not alone if its something youve experienced," Ms Wilkes said.

"Its about choice, one of our speakers this year grew up in a violent household and hes going to talk about how he made the choice not to be a violent man.

“We understand that the majority of people dont use or condone violence against women but those people are the majority and theyre silent,” she said.

WA Police South West Family Domestic Violence Unit officer in charge Don McLean said it was about starting the conversation and advocating for change.

“The idea is to try and make violence against women not just a mens issue, but making it public and having it discussed openly,” he said.

“Stop being silent about violence within our community, and stop judging women who are victims.”

South West Refuge CEO Michelle Bickers

“What were trying to do is let people know that there is support services out there that people are willing to listen to your story and that agencies are there to help in many different ways.”

Mr McLean said change in attitudes needed to be part of the solution.

“Its about turning the silent majority of people that dont condone family violence into a vocal majority,” he said.

“Its not just physical violence were speaking about, there is emotional violence, isolation, financial violence, controlling funds, monitoring social media, cutting off from friends and family, sexual violence.

“What we sometimes find is that when we do engage with victims of family violence they often dont see themselves as victims because they havent been punched but theyve still been subject to family violence along those other avenues.”

In 2017, one life was taken in the South West while another six across Western Australia was lost, with this years numbers showing a significant increase.

South West Refuge chief executive Michelle Bickers said the day helped to raise awareness and encouraged men to speak up and stand up for the protection of women and children.

“The South West community is not immune to family and domestic violence and recent figures have regrettably indicated an increase in reported incidents,” she said.

“It is tragic the number of lives recently lost, and it is time to take a stand and support this event to protect women and children from serious harm.”

“Stop being silent about violence within our community, and stop judging women who are victims.”

Anyone affected by family or domestic violence should call the national family and domestic violence counselling and support service on 1800RESPECT.

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Margaret River Mail

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