White ribbon day

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin, a White Ribbon Day Ambassador, joined with Don Telford, the Chief Operating Officer of Asciano (Patrick Stevedores), in Sydney as a symbol of the union and industry commitment to stopping violence against women.

"We may not always see eye to eye, but bosses, workers and unions are absolutely united about this issue," said Paddy Crumlin.

"Patrick is pleased to join the MUA in raising awareness for White Ribbon Day,” said Don Telford. “We are against any form of violence and urge everyone to do what they can to support this worthy cause."

The Union produced 100 flags, bearing this year's theme of "Not Silent, Not Violent'. The flags flew at ports, wharves and from ships and tugs around the coast. Companies involved were Mermaid Marine, Svitzer, TT Line, ASP Shipping, Sydney Ferries, Teekay and Farstad Shipping.

“Assistant National Secretary Mick Doleman wrote to all the employers asking them to participate,” said MUA Women's Liaison Officer Mich-Elle Myers. “We designed the flag and asked them to fly it and sell white ribbons and wristbands to raise money for the foundation. The response was amazing.”

"As a male dominated industry, we are very aware of our responsibility to speak out about violence against women. Women are wives, mothers, daughters and our workmates. They deserve our respect and support at all times," said Paddy Crumlin.

“The Maritime Union sees itself as a leader in the community for campaigning for equality, rights and protection for all workers. White Ribbon Day is an extension of those responsibilities and we are proud to be associated with the foundation.”

The union has been involved with White Ribbon Day for the last four years. This year 35 MUA officials, officers, organisers and ITF inspectors were White Ribbon Day ambassadors.

White Ribbon Day started in Canada in 1991 on the second anniversary of the massacre of 14 women by a gunman at a school in Montreal.

In 1999 the United Nations general assembly declared November 25, White Ribbon Day - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Kofi Annan (former UN secretary General) described violence against women as perhaps the most shameful human rights violation.

In Australia 57 per cent of women surveyed reported experiencing at least one incident over their lifetime. One in 20 women were the victims of violence (rape or muggings) in 2006.

Violence against women can lead to death. Around 40 per cent of homicides in Australia are due to domestic violence.

It is also a primary cause of homelessness, with more than one in five women who are seeking emergency accommodation escaping violence in the home.

Counsellors working in the area of sexual violence say they've clearly observed that the number of violent attacks on women increases around the time of major sporting events. Researchers also found that one in three Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.

ABC TV 7.30 Report on November 25 cited police statistics showing that violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness to Victorian women under the age of 45 and that 40 per cent of homicides across Australia are domestically related.

Attacks increase around Christmas New Year. And a Melbourne conference has found a correlation between sport and violence against women, with attacks increasing around the time of major sporting events. (The World Today, ABC Radio, September, 2004).

An expert on sexual assault at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, Marg D'Arcy, says: “Every time there's a major sporting event, like the grand final, calls to women's refuges, calls for support for domestic violence increase markedly. The same thing happens around the Grand Prix, that violence towards women increases. So the AFL has to recognise the part it plays in creating a culture that allows that violence to happen.”

What to do?