Cardinia Shire Council achieves White Ribbon Accreditation
Council today announced it has achieved status as a White Ribbon accredited workplace for its work in preventing and responding to violence against women in the workplace and in the community.
At the community walk against family violence, Mayor of Cardinia Shire Cr Brett Owen spoke about the significance of White Ribbon Day and this formal recognition of Council’s ongoing commitment to the cause.
“Cardinia Shire experiences high rates of family violence across the municipality. Together we are taking a stand, through supporting White Ribbon Day and other initiatives such as Together We Can.
“I am very proud to announce that Cardinia Shire Council has officially achieved White Ribbon Accreditation. This means that all staff have been educated about the many forms of family violence, how to seek assistance if they are either using violence or are the target of it, and how best to support someone in need,” Cr Owen said.
Cardinia Shire has the second highest rate of reported family violence incidents in the Southern Metropolitan Region, with an average of four serious incidents occurring per day. Up to 77 per cent of these incidents are against women and nearly half of the time there are children involved.
For the past 18 months Council has worked hard to create a safer and more respectful workplace, through education and training, enhanced resource allocation, improved workplace policies, effective leadership, and involvement in initiatives such as Together We Can and White Ribbon Day.
The internationally recognised White Ribbon accredited workplaces program has reached over half a million Australian adults through accredited workplaces. Accredited workplaces have provided organisational evidence that has been independently reviewed by experienced specialists across organisational development, gender equity, and health.
Cardinia Shire Council CEO Garry McQuillan spoke at Council’s White Ribbon Day afternoon tea, noting the importance of always demonstrating respect for others.
“At Council, we acknowledge that we are all equally responsible in demonstrating respectful relationships in our homes and in wider society.
“To prevent and end family violence in Cardinia Shire, we must encourage all men and women in our community to build more healthy and respectful relationships,” Mr McQuillan said.
Show your support for the significant work of White Ribbon Australia by making a tax-deductible donation online at White Ribbon Australia.
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing violence, please contact 1800 RESPECT for advice and support. In an emergency, call the police on 000.