Dominello/Goward/Upton/Ayres med rel: First NSW Government agencies sign up to White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation Program

Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today welcomed the decision of NSW Police and the Department of Family & Community Services (FaCS) to become the first NSW government agencies to sign up to White Ribbon’s Workplace Accreditation Program.

Mr Dominello, a White Ribbon Ambassador, said that increasing the number of NSW government agencies accredited under the Workplace Accreditation Program was a key target under an $80,000 Multicultural NSW grant provided to White Ribbon in July.

“We know that in an average 12-month period, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of intimate partner violence,” Mr Dominello said.

“The Workplace Accreditation Program is an important initiative which seeks to address this damning statistic by acknowledging workplaces which are taking active steps to prevent and respond to violence against women.

“There are currently 24 organisations around Australia which have been accredited and NSW Police and FaCS have sign up to become the first government agencies in NSW to undertake the training.

“NSW Police and FaCS are on the front line in dealing with cases of family and domestic violence, so I warmly welcome their leadership and commitment to the White Ribbon cause.

“The NSW Government, through Multicultural NSW, is proud to partner with White Ribbon to tackle violence against women by increasing awareness and engagement among our State’s culturally diverse communities.

“This partnership is about expanding White Ribbon’s reach into our multicultural communities and both these agencies have strong community engagement strategies in place to assist their staff in working with new migrants.”

Minister for Women Pru Goward commended NSW Police and FaCS for signing up to the Workplace Accreditation Program.

“These NSW Government agencies are now at the front of the pack when it comes to proactive initiatives to reduce violence against women.

“Broadening community awareness is an important part of primary prevention and our workplaces have an important role to play.”

Minister for Family and Community Services Gabrielle Upton said her Department would be part of White Ribbon’s March 2015 intake, along with approximately 60 other organisations.

“The training required under this Program will equip the Department to extend awareness beyond White Ribbon Day and enable them to be leaders in the fight against domestic violence every day of the year.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said NSW Police dealt with over 350 cases of domestic and family violence every day, and had formed a strong association with the White Ribbon cause.

“NSW Police has over 15,000 employees and is renowned for its strong engagement with multicultural communities, so I welcome its leadership in this campaign,” Mr Ayres said.

White Ribbon is a national, male-led campaign to end violence against women which began in 2003 as UNIFEM before becoming a foundation in 2007. The campaign, which originated in Canada in 1991, is today active in over 60 countries.