ON White Ribbon Day, Mid North Coast Police joined local communities to take a stand to help end violence against women.

NSW Police Force will take an oath to tackle domestic and family violence in support of an international cause to end violence against women for White Ribbon Day.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione is calling on everyone in the community to take the White Ribbon pledge to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

“Domestic violence does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages, genders, cultures and creeds. Whether you live in the city or in a rural area, domestic violence is ruining lives,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Domestic violence occupies more police time than any other crime type – over the last 12 months, police have responded to more than 28,000 reports of domestic-related assault, and there have been 27 domestic-related homicides across NSW.

“These figures reflect the serious and horrific affect domestic and family violence is having on our community, and why White Ribbon Day is an important opportunity to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to preventing violence of any kind,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“It is important to remember that domestic violence is not only comprised of physical assaults; psychological, mental and emotional abuse that intimidates or coerces a person is also a form of violence.

“It remains clear that a significant number of incidents continue to go unreported, which is an attitude we must change. Unfortunately, we can’t take action if we don’t know someone needs help.” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Police are confronted with the scourge of domestic violence on a daily basis and they witness first-hand the devastating impact on victims, their families and the wider community,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Now is the time we must come together to challenge and change disrespectful attitudes and behaviour; this is not the responsibility of any one person, it is a whole-of-community issue.

“For police, it also says we won’t tolerate any form of domestic violence and we are committed to investigating incidents and prosecuting those who perpetrate these abhorrent crimes.”

White Ribbon Day is the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding on World Human Rights Day on Thursday, December 10.