Speaking out: Geelong personality Billy Brownless and women’s rights advocate Phil Cleary at this week’s mayor’s challenge launch. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 54987
VFL legend Phil Cleary knows all about violence against women.
Twenty-three years ago his sister died in a Melbourne gutter after her ex-boyfriend attacked her with a knife outside a kindergarten where she worked.
This week Mr Cleary recounted his tale of tragedy and loss while helping Geelong Mayor John Mitchell launch his Mayor’s White Ribbon Day Challenge.
“Don’t believe the myths” about violence against women, Mr Cleary urged an assembled crowd of business and community leaders.
The former federal MP said statistics proved women generally did not lie about assault at the hands of men.
Mr Cleary advised launch guests to speak with any man they knew who assaulted women and urge them to stop or seek help.
The mayor’s challenge aims to secure 50 men as ambassadors for White Ribbon Day in Geelong on November 25.
White Ribbon Day started in 1991 on the first anniversary of a lone gunman massacring 14 women in Canada. The day encourages men to wear white ribbons signifying opposition to violence against women.
Cr Mitchell implored men at the launch to sign up as White Ribbon Day ambassadors.
“Violence against women is happening too often and as a community we need to take a stand against it,” he said.
“I urge anyone passionate about this issue to become an ambassador and make it clear violence will not be tolerated.”
Cr Mitchell said more information about the campaign was available at www.whiteribbonday.org.au.
Geelong activities for the campaign will include a gathering of ambassadors and supporters to mark out a giant white ribbon at Skilled Stadium on November 23.
