CHIEF COMMISSIONER KEN LAY SPEAKING IN BAIRNSDALE
October 25, 2013
Men across East Gippsland will be urged to stand up against domestic violence by Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay at a breakfast in Bairnsdale next Friday.
Chief Commissioner Lay will be a guest speaker at the White Ribbon Day breakfast organised by the Bairnsdale Police Family Violence Unit and the Gippsland Prevention of Men’s Violence Against Women Steering Committee.
Other local leaders including Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, Victoria Police Inspector Clive Williams, Bairnsdale Football Netball Club Senior Coach Shaun Mooney, Bairnsdale Secondary College Clontarf program co-ordinator Paul Carroll, Dahlsen’s Manager Bryan Froud and Richard Evans from GippSport, are also supporting the event.
Mr Chester will introduce Chief Commissioner Lay, who in addition to being a White Ribbon Day ambassador, grew up and worked on the beat in Gippsland.
Mr Chester said it would be a great honour to have Chief Commissioner Lay in Bairnsdale for the event and has credited him with making domestic violence a priority for Victoria Police.
“Ken has done a tremendous job in bringing domestic violence into the public spotlight since becoming Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police,” Mr Chester said.
“Being a Gippslander and having worked in the region in the past, Ken is all too aware of how this issue can affect families in our local communities.
“Violence against women cannot be tolerated in any circumstances and unfortunately too many of our mothers, sisters, work colleagues and female friends still experience violence at the hands of men they know, often in their own homes.
“As a community we must remain committed to raising these issues. Staying silent is not an option. We need to remain vigilant and be willing to take action when we suspect that violence against women is occurring.”
The White Ribbon Campaign began in Australia in 2003 and is the only national, male-led, violence prevention campaign. It encourages men to swear the White Ribbon Oath to never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
The ‘It’s Not OK’ breakfast will be held at the St. Mary’s Parish Centre next Friday, November 1, from 7am to 9am. Tickets are $25.
Anyone seeking further information about the event should contact Linda Dillon from Bairnsdale Police on 5150 2652 or log on to www.whiteribbon.org.au/events/it-s-not-ok