Response to the post on Mamamia (25 June 2012) on the 60 Minutes Grant Hackett interview

The recent article by Mamamia Grant Hackett is ‘embarrassed’. But is he sorry? and the hundreds of comments received in response, raise a number of important issues in relation to the way that domestic violence is framed and responded to in Australia. As Australia’s only male-led campaign to stop men’s violence against women White Ribbon seeks to develop a better understanding of these important issues within the Australian community.

The issue of violence in our community is insidious and the White Ribbon Campaign has been developed because of the prevalence and insidiousness of men’s violence against women. Our community is no longer prepared to be silent about the destructiveness of violence that affects each and every one of us both directly and indirectly.

Domestic violence does not only refer to physical acts of violence. The definition used by White Ribbon is broad and includes a number of non-physical forms of violence:

‘Domestic violence is an abuse of power perpetrated mainly (but not only) by men against women in a relationship or after separation. It occurs when one partner attempts physically, psychologically and or emotionally to dominate and control the other.

Domestic violence takes a number of forms. The most commonly acknowledged forms are physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional and social abuse and economic deprivation.’
By fully embracing this broader definition the impact of domestic violence in all its forms is better understood. This understanding and acknowledgment is critical to prevention and response across the spectrum.

Libby Davies
CEO
White Ribbon