Students and community groups from across Nyngan came together for a special White Ribbon Day event at the Town Hall last Wednesday, November 21.
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During November, the White Ribbon Foundation raises awareness and encourages people to acknowledge how domestic violence plagues communities across Australia and the world.
One in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from someone who knows them, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2012.
According to the ABS in 2017, one in four women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of 15.
It was also revealed that one in six women have experienced stalking since the age of 15, and almost 40 percent
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White Ribbon Day is acknowledged on November 25 around Australia, but this year to include as many people as possible Nyngan’s Mission Australia along with other organisations held a community day at the Town Hall on Wednesday.
Guests were treated to a special performance by Nyngan Public School’s Aboriginal Dance Ensemble, chior and drummers.
Nyngan Police Sergeant Tony Wood said White Ribbon day highlights the importance of the community working together to address domestic violence and aims to recognise the positive role men play in preventing violence against women.
“Nyngan is fortunate to have support agencies with committed staff who are approachable, compassionate, and professional,” Sergeant Wood said.
“Nyngan Police are proud to have a good working relationship with these support agencies,” he said.
A majority of domestic violence incidents reported to Nyngan police do not always involve actual physical violence, Sergeant Wood said.
“Domestic violence isn’t always about violence, it can be about control, jealousy, and verbal abuse,” Sergeant Wood said.
“Police have a wide range of options that can be tailored to improve the quality of life for victims.”
“There doesn’t have to be a specific act of violence for people to contact police.”
“We would much prefer preventing things from escalating,” he said.
Sergeant Wood domestic encourages anyone who has witnesses domestic violence or is the victim of assault should not hesitate to call police.