Domestic Violence against women and children is never ok!

• On average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015).
• One in four Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015).
• 80% of reported child fatalities are a result of abuse and/or neglect inflicted by one or more of the child's parents (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005).

Reflecting upon such statistics, it is clear that the issue has recently grown and increased in severity. Thus, we feel that there is a crucial need for further awareness to be raised in order to create change. 

Due to an evident increase in community awareness, the issue of domestic violence has received extensive attention, however still remains as a problematic societal concern.

Our set goal is for the National Rugby League (NRL) to hold a football match to create further awareness about the severity of domestic violence, in collaboration with stakeholders inclusive of White Ribbon and the Luke Batty Foundation.

This will be implemented by raising awareness in regard to the improvement of individual and community responses to women and children experiencing various forms of Domestic Violence.

The NRL has previously contributed their support to the issue of such violence through a range of alternate modes of action. However, unlike Cricket Australia and Australian Football League (AFL), they have not yet participated in such an event. 

Hosting and further sponsoring a football match to raise awareness will reinforce the view that men are integral in broadening support and helping to confront the issue of Domestic Violence. In addition, this will prove to combat the hegemonic stereotypes that Domestic Violence is based upon.

Since NRL football games are extremely popular in Eastern Australia, we believe that there remains a strong argument that audiences will be moved in a positive direction by the experience.

Thank you.

Generated by:

• Ebony Flemming,  
• Erin Ryan and;
• Monica Boumelhem.