White Ribbon Day

From Angus Bathe - Year 11

On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner across the globe. 85% of women in Australia have been sexually harassed. This is not good enough. This is not Australian. This is not Marist. 

Marist College Ashgrove has chosen to partner with White Ribbon Australia to play our part in raising awareness and speak out against violence towards women. 

White Ribbon Australia is a part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence. It is also the world’s largest movement engaging men and boys to end men’s violence against women and girls, promote gender equality and create new opportunities for men to build positive, healthy and respectful relationships. 

At Marist, we pray to God through Mary, Mother of Jesus. She is a role model for us all and behaving in the way of Mary is a core attribute of Marist education. As a powerful female figure, Mary teaches us the values of Simplicity, Humility, and Modesty. She teaches us to act gently and with compassion. Violence against women displays none of these attributes – but what can we do about it?

We can listen. Ask a woman who trusts you about violence and abuse and how it has affected her life. If she feels comfortable to talk, just listen and learn from her experiences. Women who have survived or are surviving violence and abuse will provide valuable and experiential insights.

We can learn more. Many people think violence is committed in public places by strangers, but women who are at risk of violence are more likely to experience it in their own homes and from men they know. 

We can develop respectful relationships with women. Marist College Ashgrove may be a boys’ school, but there is a strong female presence in all of our lives. Be an example to other men: treat women with respect and as equals. Be mindful of how language, as well as actions, can be disrespectful and abusive. Healthy relationships help create gender equality.

On Wednesday 24 November, the College will honour White Ribbon Day. The Mission and Sport Captains will offer a white ribbon for each of the boys to wear as a token of commitment to ending violence towards women. We are proud to stand up, speak out and act to prevent violence against women. 

Viriliter Age – Act Courageously