Demonstration against domestic violence at Quakers Hill TAFE
February 8th 2017
Blacktown Advocate - WASH House
ONE in three women across the world will be beaten or raped during their lifetime — a startling statistic that has prompted a global campaign to make its western Sydney debut next week.
WASH House and Outer West Domestic Violence Network have organised 1 Billion Rising campaign on Tuesday at the Quakers Hill TAFE campus.
Organiser and TAFE student Daniel McCormick said it was particularly important for men to participate.
“Now more than ever we need men to be an active part of the solution because the stats don’t lie — violence against women is a men’s issue and violence against women is often at the hands of men that say ‘I love you’.’’
Mt Druitt-based WASH House also called on the community to protest against the exploitation of women.
“It is incredibly important that we stand united as one,’’ the WASH House’s Josephine Rechichi said.
“Violence against women is a scourge in all our communities and by coming together our call to our leaders for more action will be stronger than ever.’’
Quakers Hill TAFE community services teacher Kooryn Sheaves said western Sydney needed more resources to tackle domestic violence.
“Blacktown has one of the highest rates of domestic and family violence in NSW,’’ she said.
“Western Sydney as a region needs better resourcing to help make our families and communities safer.’’
The event is pitched as the biggest mass action to end violence against women.
The campaign started on Valentine’s Day in 2012.
The demonstration runs from 11am to 1.30pm. Free shuttle buses will run from Blacktown train station to the Eastern Rd site, with bookings essential. Contact Josephine on 9677 1962 or community@washhouse. org.au. There will be a free barbecue lunch.