RECONSTRUCIÓN MAMARIA CON EXPANSORES TISULARES 17

Senior male leaders can be effective ‘champions’ for violence prevention in their organisations, using their personal influence to encourage take-up of violence prevention initiatives. This also suggests the workplace is a key site for prevention (see section 6.3.4 – Workplaces). Organisations can equip men to unpick gender stereotypes by giving motivation, a model, and a margin of safety to move away from male stereotypes.62

PAGE | 179 Snapshot: Boyne Smelter Awareness Campaign

Boyne Smelters, an aluminium smelter operating in Queensland’s Capricornia region, recently initiated a month-long domestic violence awareness campaign amongst its employees and contractors. Boyne Smelters is the largest aluminium smelter operating in Australia. It is a significant local employer in the Gladstone region, directly employing 1050 people, while providing further employment for over 120 contractors.

The initiative was implemented after Boyne Smelter’s General Manager became aware of the scale of the domestic violence problem in the region; the Capricornia region has one of the highest rates of domestic and family violence incidents in the State.

Boyne Smelters’ initiative did not just promote awareness of the problem, but also actively encouraged people to reach out for support. The campaign included the use of large white ribbons on its fleet of on-site vehicles.

Research in the USA highlights that certain experiences are critical in driving men to take action. Often a personal, ‘sensitising’ experience which raises a man’s awareness of violence, for example, hearing from women about the violence they have suffered, leads to action being taken. Some men describe themselves as compelled to action — they feel that they no longer have a choice to do nothing, that doing nothing contributes to the problem, that they can make a difference, and that they have strengths and skills which can help.63

This is an encouraging example of one man making the decision to take action in his daily life to challenge domestic violence. It shows that one individual can make a powerful difference. This is an ideal time for more men to become involved in preventing domestic and family violence. It is gradually becoming more widely recognised that staying silent is no longer acceptable as it suggests that domestic violence is okay. The Taskforce agrees that without men’s involvement, efforts to reduce and prevent domestic violence will fail.64

“

police which highlighted the alarming statistics around domestic violence in Australia, showing 82% of the offenders being male. I was particularly appalled at the statistics shown for Central Queensland where I live and work, which are 97% worse that the rest of the State. I left the workshop deeply impacted by what I heard and as the General Manager of a site of over 1,000 employees and predominately male, I felt compelled to consider how best I

could promote awareness through our organisation.

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PAGE | 180 Recommendation 30:

The Taskforce recommends that in developing the communication strategy, the Queensland Government identifies high profile role models to raise awareness of domestic and family violence. Male role models should be drawn from the areas of music, television, film, business, science, and sport. Role models need to be selected from an accredited list or undertake appropriate training to be able to speak authoritatively on domestic and family violence and contribute positively to the strategy.

6.3.4 Workplaces

The health and safety of employees at home affects their health and safety at work.

Domestic violence is an important issue for the workplace because a large proportion of women who are employed in the workforce have experienced violence from their partner. Additionally, and most alarmingly, 95% of women with partners who stalk them were harassed in the workplace.65

The Taskforce has heard from women who have been abused by their partners at work. Many of these stories told of a distinct lack of response from the workplace. Some stories revealed that the victim had also lost their job as a result of ‘bringing their personal issues to work’ or for using their sick leave to attend court. Domestic violence does, on too many occasions, enter the workplace because an abusive person seeks opportunities to use power and control to undermine their victim. Harassing a partner or ex-partner at work can lead to a victim being fired, and in this way increase their dependence and susceptibility to control by the perpetrator.66

Workplaces have a duty of care to prevent harm to workers but also need to create a productive working environment. It is also critical for anyone experiencing domestic violence to stay

employed to help them escape from violence.

“

Domestic violence is not — and should not be — a private matter

that is dealt with behind closed doors.

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Ms Ged Kearney, ACTU President

“

chose to harass me out of the job which I had attended faithfully

for three years. They refused to give me a reference.

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PAGE | 181

Australian workplaces have been slow to address domestic violence.67 _{Any effort to improve}

workplaces cannot be achieved by Government alone. Private enterprise also needs to ensure all opportunities are realised to make a difference to the lives of those affected by domestic and family violence.