Commissioners of Police across Australasia have once again taken a stand against Violence against Women and Children.

All members of the Australian community are encouraged to challenge behaviours and attitudes that condone violence and gender inequality.

Violence against women and children is an issue of international significance and requires cultural and attitudinal change.

Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day. A day, annually, focussed on building greater equality and respect between men and women which will in turn reduce attitudes that support violence.

Tomorrow morning male leaders within the Tasmanian community will join Commissioner Darren Hine on a breakfast walk, coming together as a collective voice speaking out against violence against women and children.

The walk will start from outside Tasmania Police Headquarters at 7.30am on Liverpool Street and will end on Parliament House Lawns.

All participants are encouraged to change attitudes, to stand up, and speak out so that violence against women is never trivialised or accepted.

“Prevention and early intervention are the keys to adopting this positive change. We are shown respect in our roles as community leaders, it is up to us to encourage that respectful behaviour in those whose opinions we endeavour to shape,” said Commissioner Darren Hine.

“The message is clear. Everyone can make a difference. Everyone can stand together and say that violence against women and children is not acceptable.

“Communities need to stand together, as we do now, to effect this change,” he said.

“If you hear, see or know of someone that is a victim of violence stand up and speak out. We must show that we will not tolerate violence against women and children. It may be that police deal with perpetrators and preventative actions however it is everyone’s responsibility to make it stop,” said Mr Hine.