Our Watch, a new national initiative aimed to prevent violence against women and their children, has been launched today by Board chair, Natasha Stott Despoja AM, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls.
Ms Stott Despoja announced a high profile line-up of Our Watch supporters, including inaugural Patron-in-Chief, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC, Governor-General of Australia, and Patron, Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO.
“Violence against women is a national emergency – one woman is killed almost every week by a current or former partner in Australia,” said Ms Stott Despoja.
“Our Watch has a mandate to stop this violence before it occurs. We are calling on all Australians to speak out and take action to prevent violence against women and their children on our watch.”
Joining Our Watch to advocate for an Australia free from domestic, family and sexual violence is an impressive list of ambassadors, including comedian and television presenter, Charlie Pickering, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, human rights advocate, Khadija Gbla, Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO, Chief of the Australian Army, comedian and journalist, Stella Young, actor and director, Damian Walshe-Howling and actor, Miranda Tapsell.
To coincide with the launch, Our Watch released a video featuring two very different futures for Australia’s children; the first showing a future where negative attitudes and behaviour towards women are not changed and the second, showing a future where women and men are afforded equal respect and positive treatment.
The video, available online (http://youtu.be/tB7Pkcue9Rk) features many well-known Australians as well as domestic and family violence survivors, who passionately support the end of violence against women and their children, such as Shane Jacobson, Tara Moss, Kelton Pell and Rosie Batty.
CEO Paul Linossier said that the organisation aims to deliver tangible change in preventing violence against women and their children in the Australian community.
“Primary prevention is at the heart of our strategy. Our Watch will focus on four key areas; maintaining constructive public conversations, delivering evidence-based prevention programs, working with existing organisations, networks and communities to embed prevention practises, and influencing public policy and institutions,” he said.
Ms Stott Despoja launched Our Watch, along with its five year plan and strategic priorities to prevent violence against women and their children, with Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women; The Hon. Bess Nungarrayi Price MLA, Minister for Community Services and Women’s Policy (NT), The Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Premier of South Australia, and The Hon. Mary Wooldridge, Minister for Community Services (VIC).
To view the Our Watch strategic plan, priorities and launch video go to http://www.ourwatch.org.au/.
Source: Our Watch
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