United Indian Association’s Women Steering Committee has organised an afternoon tea and fundraiser event to help raise awareness and much needed funds to support White Ribbon Australia’s work to end men’s violence against women.

“The White Ribbon campaign is about recognizing the positive role that men can play in preventing violence against women. It encourages men to effectively challenge the attitudes and behaviors of a minority of men who use or condone violence against women” UIA President John Kennedy said.

“Violence against women is at epidemic proportions. Devastatingly, over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of intimate partner violence,” UIA Steering Committee Chair Sumati Advani said. “Murder is at the pointy end of a broad spectrum of violence against women. The spectrum of domestic violence encompasses financial, verbal, emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse, as well as workplace harassment. They all form part of a devastating cycle of violence”.

“Women lost are not just statistics – they are wives, mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends and colleagues. Most importantly, they are people, and the impact of the violence perpetrated against them is widespread and long-standing.

“Violence against women is never a private issue. UIA is holding this event to help break community silence around violence, to raise awareness of the issue as well as raise valuable funds to support work to bring violence against women to an end. We want people to know that violence against women is unacceptable, it is never the victim’s fault, help is always available and if you see something you should definitely say something. People need to know that they can make a difference; bringing an end to men’s violence against women will take a whole of community approach,” Advani added.

An afternoon tea has been organised on Sunday 22^nd November, 2015 starting at 3pm at Coronation Club, 86 Burwood Road, Burwood NSW 2134. Dress theme for the event is- ‘Touch of White’. All are welcome to attend. Cost per person is $25 which includes afternoon tea and snacks.

All funds raised will be donated to the White Ribbon Movement to support primary prevention initiatives in schools, workplaces and the broader community.

Those who are unable to attend but wish to support the critical work of White Ribbon Australia in the prevention of men’s violence against women can also directly make a tax deductible donation at www.whiteribbon.org.au/donate.

If you are experiencing violence or suspect someone else is, please contact 1800 RESPECT for advice and support. In an emergency, call the police on 000.

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Sumati Advani on 0417210268, Varsha Tembe on 0425216295, Mala Chandani on 0400004809.