The Independent’s Tony Galpin, centre, joins Mayor John Mitchell and councillor Jan Farrell to spread the White Ribbon Day message.
THE INDEPENDENT has joined a campaign opposing violence against women.
The paper has committed to promoting the White Ribbon Day message throughout November after Geelong’s Mayor issued a call for campaign supporters last month.
Independent managing editor Tony Galpin said the paper was proud to help raise awareness of White Ribbon Day.
“Street assaults seem to have all the prominence at the moment but violence against women is still a major yet often unspoken scourge on our community,” Mr Galpin said.
“The message of White Ribbon Day is for men in particular to speak out on violence against women. Men doing the wrong thing need to know that violence against woman is just not on.
“They need to get help.”
Mr Galpin said he understood how men’s troubled backgrounds and other issues were often linked to violence against women.
“But a lot of men have been through the same or worse problems and don’t respond by assaulting women.
“There may be a reason but there’s no excuse.”
White Ribbon Day started in 1991 on the first anniversary of a lone gunman massacring 14 women in Canada.
The day, on November 25, encourages men to wear white ribbons signifying opposition to violence against women.
Geelong activities as part of the campaign include a gathering of supporters to form a giant white ribbon at Skilled Stadium on November 23.
More information about the campaign is available at www.whiteribbonday.org.au.
