Swarms of Blacktown council staff came together at Blacktown’s Civic Square this morning to form a human white ribbon to highlight the White Ribbon campaign message — "never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women".
Hanging above them was another huge white ribbon — visible from up to five kilometres way — which was installed by abseilers over the weekend.
A Blacktown Council spokesman said the council has been taking the lead on addressing concerning rates of domestic violence in Sydney’s west with a range of practical initiatives, including: the creation of domestic violence support leave; protocols to assist managers help staff who are victims of domestic violence; offering victims security protection to and from work, along with changed phone numbers and work locations; free counselling; and special leave to attend court hearings.
The council has also emblazoned a brand new, $450,000 garbage truck with the message: “There’s no excuse for domestic violence. It’s rubbish.”
The truck will become part of Blacktown’s regular waste management program, taking the message to the city’s 335,000 residents on a daily basis as it collects their bins.
READ MORE: Click here to read more about Blacktown Council's anti-domestic violence campaign.