Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

25 November is designated by the United Nations as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and that the white ribbon is the symbol for this day,

(ii)

around Australia on 25 November, thousands of men and women will be wearing a white ribbon to show their support for this cause and taking an oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women, and

(iii)

White Ribbon Day aims to build cultural change around the issue of violence against women through education and by promoting a culture of non-violence and respect, particularly among men and boys;

(b)

recognises that:

(i)

violence against women remains the most widespread human rights abuse in the world – one in three Australian women has experienced violence, and one in five Australian women will experience sexual assault,

(ii)

violence against women occurs in many forms, including domestic violence, general assault, homicide, femicide, rape and sexual assault, homophobic violence, genital mutilation, enforced prostitution, motherhood and abortion and elder abuse, and

(iii)

violence against women and their children was estimated to cost the Australian economy approximately $13.6 billion in 2008-09 and, without a reduction in current rates, will cost the economy an estimated $15.6 billion by 2021-22; and

(c)

commits itself to:

(i)

supporting the White Ribbon Day campaign,

(ii)

the elimination of violence against women, and

(iii)

a zero tolerance approach to all violence in our communities.

Question agreed to.