#itstartswithmen for Women and Girls to live a Life Free from violence
Let’s stand together and #ChangeTheStory for Women and Girls to live a Life Free from violence.
You are invited to:
White Ribbon Day
Saturday November 9, 2024
11am - 3pm
Mt Martha Uniting Church
109 Bay Rd, Mount Martha
It's in our control to end coercive control
Join us, as we Speak up and Raise awareness:
To help prevent violence against women
To create a safer community free from family violence
Where healthy and respectful relationships are the norm
So we can live freely, without fear or threats from others
White Ribbon Day is leading the change toward ending men’s violence against women.
The vision is that all women should be able to live free from fear and violence.
In Australia this issue of men's violence against women is a nationwide crisis.
1 in 5 Australian women are reported to have experienced sexual violence
1 in 3 are reported to have experienced physical violence
Close to 1 woman a week dies at the hand of someone they know
And these are only the reported cases. How many more women are living in fear, too scared to come forward?
Behind every statistic is a story of pain, suffering, and loss. They are the stories of our sisters, daughters, mothers, or friends and they are the stories that must drive us to action.
This violence is preventable. We can end it by speaking out against it, by supporting victims, and by working to create a more respectful society.
Hosted by Mt Martha Uniting Church
The Event Will:
Raise awareness of the issue and the resources that are available to victims and survivors
Rally the community together to collectively address women’s safety as an issue
Instigate conversations with residents and organisations in the area about ways to change attitudes, expectations and acceptable behaviours
Advise ways for you to actively participate in finding solutions
How You Can Help
Sponsor the event
Register now and attend this event
Donate Time and join our team of volunteers to contribute to the success of the event
Share the registration link on social media to raise awareness
Invite everyone in your community to attend
#WhiteRibbonDayMtMarthaUniting
We are open for donations
Event Features:
Engaging Guest Speakers who'll share their stories, insights, and expertise on building a violence-free future
Access to Local Support Services and resources dedicated to assisting survivors and promoting violence prevention
Light Lunch included
For Queries:
Contact Ruth Stuettgen
0432 441 146
What people say about this event
"The event was amazing and very informative."
"You've made such a big difference."
"It was wonderful, different, and eye-opening to have a panel of that calibre speak about their work."
"Well done; it was a great panel discussion and such a great turn-out."
"Felt safe.”
Names omitted to respect privacy.
Guest Speakers:
Tracy Meyer
Detective Senior Sergeant Tracy MEYER has been a member of Victoria Police for nearly 40 years. She is currently the Work Unit Manager at the Somerville Family Violence Investigation Unit and responsible for the management of high-risk family violence incidents across Southern Metro Region 4 (Frankston and Mornington Peninsula PSA’s).
Despi O’Connor
Past Councillor and Mayor at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and teacher at Mt Martha Primary School.
Dr Catherine Baird
Catherine is Vice Chair of the Women's Spirit Project and an ardent advocate for inclusion, diversity, and cultivating workplaces and spaces where everyone can feel safe and thrive.
Sophie Panigirakis
Is the dedicated Service Delivery Manager at Women’s Community Shelters (WCS), where she plays a pivotal role in expanding the organisation’s reach and impact into Victoria.
Professor Alex Christou
Director of Corporate Education and Strategic Partnerships at Monash Business School. He is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, and actively promotes opportunities for women and underprivileged students to access education and reduce financial barriers.
Event Organisers:
Reverend Peter Wiltshire
Minister of Mt. Martha Uniting Church. His professional career includes Uniting Church School Chaplaincy, Values and Ethics Thinking Education Research. Peter's pastoral ministry specialises in the development of the whole person, the recovery of the Authentic Self and importantly, inclusive Faith community formation in service to the wider community.
Ruth Stuettgen
Executive Leadership Team Member and Chair of Pastoral Care at Mt Martha Uniting Church, past Policewoman and Teacher. As Coach, Speaker and Hypnotherapist, she organises women’s empowerment events.
our CAUSE of choice:
Your donations and any proceeds from this event will be sent to our chosen cause.
Women's Spirit Project
The Women's Spirit Project is a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative which aims to inspire and empower women experiencing disadvantage to transform their lives through fitness, health and wellbeing activities.
