Navy achieves White Ribbon workplace accreditation
11 June 2014The Royal Australian Navy has become the largest organisation to receive White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation for demonstrating a culture of zero tolerance of men’s violence against women.
The CEO of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, today presented a certificate of accreditation to the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN.
Navy has, for some time, been committed to the White Ribbon campaign — a male-led movement to end violence against women. Last year VADM Griggs committed Navy to a pilot program for organisations to become a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace.
The accreditation process took 12 months and involved submitting documents and other material for audit, development and delivery of a training package and completion of two culture surveys.
VADM Griggs said he was exceptionally proud of Navy’s commitment to the campaign.
“White Ribbon Accreditation has been a whole of Navy undertaking,” VADM Griggs said.
Ms Davies said accreditation was only given to workplaces that demonstrated a culture of zero tolerance of men’s violence against women.
“Navy is Australia’s largest White Ribbon accredited organisation,” she said.
”The accreditation process helps organisations to embed the White Ribbon message within the organisation’s leadership, procedures and staff training, and simultaneously strengthens the organisation’s stance in relation to anti-bullying legislation.”
Navy is one of only a handful of organisations that has achieved White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation.
“While this is a privilege, it also carries considerable responsibility,” VADM Griggs said.
“It is now up to all of us to continue to demonstrate that violence against women is something that Navy condemns.
“In the workplace and in the community, Navy people should promote positive attitudes and behaviours and intervene to prevent violence against women.
”Our commitment to White Ribbon is not merely symbolic; it reflects Navy’s culture and values. At the end of the day it is the actions that we as men take to end the violence against women that really counts,” he said.
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