The Gold Coast Football Club is making a stand against domestic violence and will join the White Ribbon Day march on November 27.
GCFC Chairman John Witheriff, CEO Travis Auld , Football Manager Marcus Ashcroft and coaches Guy McKenna and Shaun Hart have all become ambassadors for White Ribbon Day.
Witheriff said men across Queensland, Australia and the globe are uniting internationally to say “no” to violence against women and girls.
“Domestic violence is a silent epidemic affecting people in all areas of our society – young and old, rich and poor, all races and cultures – women you know and care about,” he said.
“Statistics tell us, every day, 1000 women are violently assaulted across Australia. That equals nearly half a million women in any one year.
“If you don’t think you know a woman who has experienced violence, it’s because she hasn’t told you – less than one third of women report it.”
When bidding for the 17th AFL license the Gold Coast Football Club worked closely with the Gold Coast City Council to identify key social issues in the region which would influence the development of the Club’s community strategy.
“Unfortunately domestic violence on the Gold Coast is one of the major issues. The Gold Coast Football Club is committed to developing and supporting programs that raise awareness of the issue such as becoming ambassadors for White Ribbon Day,” Witheriff said.
“Violence against women is not tolerated in any form and we will spread the message through the community and through our own respect and responsibility programs for all our staff and players.”
White Ribbon Day is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and is marked on November 25 each year.
The Gold Coast’s White Ribbon Day Wake Up & Walk on November 27 will have participants walking from both Kurrawa Beach and Main Beach along the beach to meet in Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise for a free BBQ breakfast and a key note address by White Ribbon Ambassador, Mayor Ron Clarke MBE.
For further information visit www.whiteribbondayqueensland.com.au
