Neville Swears Against Family Violence Men throughout Hinkler have been encouraged to swear against family violence

ahead of White Ribbon Day on Friday (November 25) by Member for Hinkler Paul Neville. The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest global male-led movement to stop men s violence against women. It encourages men to swear the White Ribbon Oath which i s a commitment to stand up for the women in their lives. Mr Neville has told Federal Parliament this week that Hinkler men should act as positive role models for younger males in the community by speaking out against violence. It should be self-evident that violence against women cannot be tolerated in any circumstances, but we continue to experience a disturbingly high level of family violence in our local community and throughout Australia, Mr Neville told Parlia ment. Too many of our mothers, our sisters and our female friends are experiencing viol ence at the hands of men they know, often in their own homes. We need to show all men and boys the right way to behave: to respect, nurture and care for women in our society and to treat them as equals. Mr Neville applauded local men who have already signed up to White Ribbon Ambass adors, as well as LNP candidate for Burnett Stephen Bennett who marched in Bunda bergs Reclaim the Night event. It is important that community leaders get involved with this issue, to raise awa reness and spread the message that violence against women and children will not be tolerated. Crimes in the home, particularly physical and sexual assaults, are often hidden, and because they occur in a domestic setting there is some reluctance in our com munity to intervene. If these crimes were committed on the street there would be community outrage, bu t because they are often hidden in the home they too often escape attention. We need to send a message to the thugs who will commit these crimes that they hav e no right to privacy in their homes if they are using those walls to hide their violent crimes from scrutiny. We do need to shine a light in the dark places where these crimes occur and prote ct some of our most vulnerable citizens from harm. We need to send a message to the victims that they are not alone. Mr Neville said White Ribbon Day was an important occasion but it should not be viewed in isolation or seen as a single day for raising these issues. Staying silent is not an option for us. We must remain committed to raising these issues on the other 364 days of the year, he said. We need to remain eternally vigilant and be willing to take action when we suspec t that violence is occurring in the home.