Royal Australian Navy Supports White Ribbon International Conference

The Royal Australian Navy has supported the opening of White Ribbon Australia’s first international conference.

White Ribbon Australia is hosting the conference in Sydney. It features key researchers, practitioners, policy makers and activists from both Australia and overseas. The conference showcases research, policies and programs that work to change men’s attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence against women.

HMAS Choules was the venue for the official opening reception last night while the ship was alongside Garden Island, Sydney.

This is one element of Navy’s overall support to the White Ribbon Foundation. Navy has more than 75 White Ribbon ambassadors and is active in the coordination of White Ribbon events including a Bridge to Bridge Run/Walk in Canberra on White Ribbon Day in 2012.

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO CSC, a White Ribbon ambassador himself, set a challenge in 2011 for RAN members to support this important organisation.

“Navy is an organisation that rejects violence against women. We are committed to eliminating violence against women within the Navy and supporting its elimination in the broader community,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

“Navy has joined as part of the White Ribbon Workplace accreditation program and is active in supporting White Ribbon events and activities, such as this conference.”

Navy also took the opportunity to arrange for one of the conference keynote speakers, Dr Jackson Katz, to conduct presentations to senior leadership members and ships’ crews.

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Press Release, May 14, 2013; Image: Australian Navy