Maritime Union of Australia: General: Paddy Crumlins White Ribbon Day Address

It is essential that the issue of violence against women is prioritised throughout our communities and the national society. There must be an acceptance by men that this campaign is essential to the health of our lives, individually and collectively. White Ribbon Day in my view is the most important Day in the Nations political and social calendar. We can no longer either serve ignorance or accept silence on an issue that degrades us as a civilised and advanced nation.

The Maritime Union of Australia does not condone any violence against women and is proud to be involved in the White Ribbon Day and I am personally proud to be an ambassador. It is our responsibility, my responsibility to speak out and take a firm stand in communicating this message to our members and the community at large.

I urge all members to get involved in today's activity and participate on 25 November by buying and distributing white ribbons and more importantly speaking in a forthright and determined fashion that we can never be safe or presume we have a society that is safe and healthy while any violence is taking place.

Men are overwhelming the perpetrators of physical violence and as a male dominant industry we have a special obligation to take a stand and speak out against this unacceptable behaviour. Women are our wives, mothers, daughters as well as our workmates. Men must use all of their intellectual, physical and creative energies in support of our women on this issue. We must be leaders and stand between violence and the perpetrator of violence and the women that are its object. My Union and myself are proud and determined to take the necessary stand and fight back, this will be done through highlighting the issue, education and lifting awareness that a hard and bright light must continue to shine to expose the many causes including mental illness that lies at the root of the problem. The future of all humanity has its foundations in peace and cooperative commitment to each other, let's realise these values on White Ribbon Day and stop the violence against women and let's do it now.

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Email	:	muano@mua.org.au
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Paddy Crumlins White Ribbon Day Address

say NO to domestic violence