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Men take oath on White Ribbon day

The NSW police commissioner has led a ceremony in Sydney in which men have taken an oath to stand up to violence against women.

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Source: AAP


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Hundreds of men have taken an oath at a Sydney ceremony to take a stand against domestic violence.

Police, politicians and sportsmen marched from Randwick's High Cross Park to Coogee Beach on Monday as part of national White Ribbon Day celebrations.

In a ceremony led by the state's police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, participants swore not to commit, excuse or remain silent about domestic abuse.

Mr Scipione says violence against women is a "scourge" on the community that has horrible consequences.

"One third of all homicides are domestic related," he told ABC Radio.

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"Most of the victims in domestic violence are women, so men need to be men, show courage, show strength and protect their women, not beat them."

One in three Australian women over the age of 15 have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence.

White Ribbon Day CEO Libby Davies says domestic abuse is the leading driver of homelessness among women and children.

She says Australia has a "long way to go" in the quest to stop violence against women.

"At least one woman is killed every week in Australia," she told AAP.

"If we're going to have real equality ... then we need to break down these notions of control that many men have in relation to women."

White Ribbon Day began in Canada in 1991 and has since become an international movement.

It arrived in Australia in 2003 and became a foundation in 2007.


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