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Thursday, 25 November 2010                       
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MULTIFAITH ADVISORY GROUP IN RECOGNITION OF WHITE RIBBON DAY

On behalf of Victoria’s faith communities, we, the members of the Multifaith Advisory Group, join together on White Ribbon Day to voice our support for women affected by violence and to unequivocally denounce such violence.

Violence against women is a sad reality in the Victorian and Australian community, lurking in the shadows and impacting on those of all ages, faiths, ethnicities and socio-economic statuses.

We are saddened by the facts of domestic violence in our community: that one in three Australian women has experienced physical violence, and one in five has experienced sexual violence; that 16 percent of women have experienced violence by a current or previous partner; and a staggering 36 percent of these women were pregnant at the time of violence.

The physical, emotional and psychological impact of this violence is crippling. In our prayers are the women, children and families who are affected – acknowledging that violence is not only physical and that those who witness violence are among its victims.

Violence against women cannot be tolerated. Such violence is emboldened by fear and silence. We will not remain silent, and we will not allow this issue to be consigned to the fringe of public and interfaith dialogue.

We stand together to reaffirm that:
• Violence in all its many forms is unacceptable.
• We will stand up for and defend the rights of those affected by violence.
• Our faith communities will embrace those affected by violence and work to prevent such violence.
• Violence is and will continue to be denounced in our respective faith practices and teachings.
• All members of the Victorian community – women, children, and men alike – are entitled to dignity and respect.

The protection of the vulnerable and care for those affected by violence are fundamental principles in all of our respective faiths and traditions. The faiths and communities that we represent have not, do not and will not accept violence in any form or in any setting. 

It is for this reason that we take White Ribbon Day as an opportunity to categorically condemn all forms of violence, particularly that affecting women, and voice our shared support for victims. 

The Multifaith Advisory Group consists of senior representatives from Victoria’s diverse faith communities including the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and interfaith communities. The MAG represents the voice of Victoria’s faith leaders to the Victorian Government through the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC).
 
Media contact: Matthew Scanlon, 9651 0649 or 0437 566 435