Defence personnel go bridge to bridge in support of White Ribbon Day 2014

Around 700 Defence personnel have walked and run around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin today to demonstrate their commitment to White Ribbon Day.

The event is one of a number of activities being undertaken by Defence in the lead up to White Ribbon Day 2014 on Tuesday, 25 November 2014.

White Ribbon Ambassador Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs addressed the group before setting off for the walk.

“Defence is committed to ending male-generated violence towards women both within our organisation and in the community,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

“This White Ribbon Day event complements Defence’s efforts through Pathway to Change, our strategy for broader cultural change.”

Defence has signed up to the White Ribbon Pilot Workplace Accreditation Program, with the Navy and Royal Military College of Australia achieving accreditation. Army, the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian Civil Military Centre are currently seeking accreditation and Air Force will undertake accreditation in 2015.

“In June this year, the Navy became the largest of the first 23 organisations in the world to be accredited as a White Ribbon Workplace – a significant achievement for Defence and a great demonstration by the Navy of its commitment to end violence towards Navy women in the workplace,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

Defence also recently engaged the Australian Human Rights Commission to visit Defence sites across Australia over the next four years to ensure that personnel are working towards the goal of a fully diverse and inclusive workplace.

More information about Defence’s efforts can be found on the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/pathwaytochange

Today’s walk/run is one of a number of White Ribbon activities Defence is holding across Australia. For more information on White Ribbon, visit www.whiteribbon.org.au

Media note:
Imagery from today’s activity will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20143096

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999