I swear - by the white ribbon

I’ve been lucky.

Not once have I had to wonder whether I would be strong enough to walk away from violence.

I have never had to watch as someone was hit.

I don’t know the sounds of a violent battle in the kitchen. No one I know has had to cover bruises from when they “bumped” into the cupboard. I’m lucky.

So many women are not.

Today is White Ribbon Day. Every other day seems to be a Ribbon Day, but this one is pretty important. White Ribbon Day was started to raise awareness of violence from men towards women.

The following data is taken from surveyed Australian women over the age of 15. The survey was titled The Personal Safety Survey. The quotes are from the White Ribbon webpage: http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au

In Australia:

· Close to half of all women (40%) have experienced violence since the age of 15;

· Just under one third of women (29%) have experienced physical assault;

· Nearly one in five women (17%) have experienced sexual assault;

· Nearly one in six women (16%) have experienced violence by a partner in their lifetime;

· Since 15, one third of women (33%) have experienced inappropriate comments about their body or sex life,

· One quarter (25%) have experienced unwanted sexual touching

· One in five (19%) have been stalked

So, violence... While punches and slaps may leave scars, the violence leaves deep psychological scars. Evidence was found in a 2004 study, where it was shown that intimate partner violence contributes more to their poor health, disability, and death than any other risk factor, including obesity and smoking. That means that, if you are being assaulted at home, that will most likely be your cause of death.

Sometimes, money values are more easily understood...

A 2009 Time For Action study counted up the numbers.

The cost of violence against women and their children to the Australian economy was estimated to be $13.6 billion in 2008-09 and, if there is no reduction in current rates, it will cost the economy an estimated $15.6 billion by 2021-22.

White Ribbon day is a day for educating people to the cause. I guess, if more people actually notice the bruises, some of the bruising might stop.

If enough people realise how dreadful domestic violence is, attitudes might change. Maybe, if enough people are talking, enough people will be expressing disgust at the violence. If enough people are doing that, I suppose, the violent men might eventually hear it. If they hear it, hopefully, they may realise what they are doing. If the women hear it, they may develop the courage to leave.

By wearing a white ribbon on November 25^th, you are saying that you do not excuse violence against women. Men can also go here, the My Oath Campaign website and swear! (www.myoath.com.au)

This is what we can swear:

Never to commit violence against women,

Never to excuse violence against women, and

Never to remain silent about violence against women

On White Ribbon Day, I am spending a moment in thanks,

for the happy and stable home I grew up in.